The Meguti Jain Temple,Aihole,Bagalkot,Karnataka — Attraction in Karnataka

The Meguti Jain Temple in Aihole is a significant early medieval monument, renowned as the only fully dated structure in Aihole, built in 634 CE. It stands atop Meguti hill, surrounded by remnants of the Aihole fort, and is dedicated to the Jain Tirthankara Mahavira

The temple is constructed mainly from fine-grained sandstone and sits on a raised platform accessed by a flight of steps

The layout includes a pillared mukhamandapa (main hall), a narrower antarala (vestibule) at a higher level, and a square sanctum (garbhagriha) surrounded by a circumambulatory passage, now partly sealed

The Meguti Jain Temple is especially famous for the Aihole Prashasti inscription, written in 634 CE by Ravikirti, a poet and commander in Pulakeshin II’s court, eulogizing the Chalukya dynasty and referring to Pulakeshin II's triumphs, particularly over Harsha

The temple is accessible by steps from the village or from the nearby Mallikarjuna Temple Complex

The hilltop location provides panoramic views of Aihole and its monuments

Beware of bats inside

No proper parking and roads to reach nearby but can be reached by auto or by some walking distance from malikarjun temple nearby

Must visit early morning if possible

No tickets...

A perfect place to see sunset in Aihole, a view to remember.

The Meguti Jain Temple, a notable historical and religious edifice, is situated atop a hill in Aihole, Karnataka, India. This temple, dating back to 634 AD, is a significant testament to the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the Chalukya dynasty.

Historically, the temple holds immense significance as it provides insights into the early phases of Jainism in South India. It is dedicated to Lord Adinatha, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. The inscriptions found here are of immense value, with the Aihole inscription being particularly noteworthy. This inscription, attributed to Pulakeshin II, offers valuable information about the timeline and achievements of the early...

Meguti Jain temple was built in 634 AD on a flat Meguti hilltop overlooking Aihole village with its hundreds of temples. The temple houses the statue of Jina Mahavir in the garbagudi Jina Mahavir was the 24th & the most revered Thirthankar of the Jain's.

It is famous for housing inscriptions that prove Mahabharata war was real & not a fictional event. Inscriptions date back the Mahabharata war to be 3375 years Ravikeerti inscriptions mentions war stories of Chalukyas with Harshavardhan & Pallavas. Few verses praise the Jain God Jina Mahavir.

The only multi-storied Budhist caves of Karnataka are found on the slopes of Meguti hill It is reached by climbing the steps on the Meguti hill. A few more steps from here takes to the...