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Voykit pocket guide · India
Aihole
ಐಹೊಳೆ
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Aihole; most sights are walkable, stay in Badami or Bagalkote for night.
Aihole is a compact village of historic Chalukyan temples spread over a few kilometres. All major sites are reachable on foot or by short auto‑rickshaw rides, so a single day suffices. Overnight options are in nearby Badami (≈40 min by road) or Bagalkote (≈45 km).
- Country
- India
- Local name
- ಐಹೊಳೆ
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot, limited shade)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,000–₹3,500 excl. bed · High ₹3,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 100 · Medical 108
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₹20–₹30 |
| Tea at roadside stall | ₹15–₹25 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (per km) | ₹15–₹20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HBX · Hubli‑Dharwad Airport
- ≈120 km (75 mi) north, 2 h by road≈75 mi (120 km) north, 2 h by road
Typical fares
- Hubli‑Dharwad → Badami bus
- ≈₹150, 2 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km
- ≈₹150 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
All temples are within 2 km (1.2 mi) of the village centre; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw for longer stretches. Roads are narrow, unsuitable for large vehicles.All temples are within 1.2 mi (2 km) of the village centre; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw for longer stretches. Roads are narrow, unsuitable for large vehicles.
See and do
Known for
- Chalukyan temple complex
- Durga (Fort) Temple
- Jain Meguti Temple
- Lad Khan Temple
- Ravalphadi Cave Temple
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pattadakal | Bus from Badami (≈30 min) then walk | ≈1 h total |
| Badami | Auto‑rickshaw or bus, 40 min road | ≈1 h |
| Lakkundi | Bus to Badami then local auto‑rickshaw, ≈1 h 15 min | ≈2 h round |
| Hampi | Train to Hospet (≈2 h) then bus/taxi, 30 min | ≈3 h each way |
Sleep
- Clarks Inn, Badami
- Basic rooms, 40 min drive from Aihole
- KSTDC Mayura Chalukya, Badami
- Government‑run, similar distance
- Bagalkote guesthouses
- ≈45 km (28 mi), option if staying farther north≈28 mi (45 km), option if staying farther north
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | क्षमಿಸಿkshamisi |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavādagaḷu |
| How much is this? | ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?idu eṣṭu? |
| Can I have water? | ನನಗೆ ನೀರು ಕೊಡಬಹುದೇ?nanage nīru koḍabahudē? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- No restaurants in Aihole – bring food or rely on roadside shacks.
- Narrow lanes can be difficult for taxis; plan auto‑rickshaw rides if walking is too far.
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and sun protection.
Aihole is low‑risk; main concerns are heat, traffic on narrow roads, and limited medical facilities – keep a basic first‑aid kit.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Aihole yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Chalukyan temple complex
- Durga (Fort) Temple
- Jain Meguti Temple
- Lad Khan Temple
- Ravalphadi Cave Temple
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Aihole coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Aihole, revision 4642579 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4642579
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/aihole). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.