Ravanaphadi Cave
ರಾವಣ ಫಡಿ
A 6th-century Shiva cave temple in Aihole, with large reliefs of Nataraja, the Ganges descent and the Seven Mothers, older than the Badami caves.
Ravanaphadi Cave is one of Aihole's earliest rock-cut temples, carved in the 6th century and dedicated to Shiva. Its walls bear several large relief panels: ten-armed Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, with the Seven Mothers; the goddess Ganga descending to earth; Ardhanarishvara, the half-male, half-female form of Shiva; and guardian figures at the doorway. The rustic yet powerful carving is regarded as a forerunner of the Badami caves. The cave lies at the foot of a small hill about 500 m northeast of the Durga Temple complex. Admission is free or low-cost, and it is open during the day. The interior is dim, so bring a torch. It can be visited on foot together with the Durga Temple and Meguti Jain Temple.
Opening hours
Open daytime
Nearby sights
- Aihole (Durga Temple Complex)
- Meguti Jain Temple
- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
- Mahakuta Group of Temples
- Sidlaphadi Cave
- Malegitti Shivalaya
- Bhutanatha Group of Temples
- Archaeological Museum, Badami