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Temples in Aihole, Karnataka

Karnataka pilgrimage guide

Temples in Aihole — Famous Temples & Complete Darshan Guide

Plan a practical Aihole temple trip with 3 important temples, darshan-friendly routing, local travel tips and the best season for a peaceful pilgrimage.

3 curated temples Karnataka View map & route →

Last updated July 2026 · Curated by the Temples.bio editorial team

Quick answers

Which is the most famous temple in Aihole?
Anjanadri Hill Temple is the most prominent temple in Aihole. This guide covers 3 notable temples in and around Aihole with timings, distances and a darshan route.
What are the famous temples in Aihole?
The most famous temples in Aihole include Anjanadri Hill Temple, Hampi Virupaksha Temple and Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. See the table below for the primary deity, location and darshan timings of all 3 temples.
How many days do you need to visit Aihole temples?
You can cover the main temples of Aihole in about 1 day. Use the 1-day essential circuit for the key shrines, or the 2-day plan to include temples within 100 km.
What is the best time to visit Aihole temples?
October to March is the most comfortable season for temple visits in Aihole. Summer afternoons can be tiring, so plan early morning darshan and keep a lighter second half of the day. Festival days are spiritually rewarding but busier; confirm timings, parking and local transport
How do you reach Aihole?
Reach Aihole by the nearest major railway station or state highway links, then keep the temple circuit local for the first day. For families and senior citizens, a hired cab or auto-rickshaw is easier than changing transport repeatedly. Start with the main temple before the crowd builds, pause for l

Temples in Aihole at a glance

Primary deity, location or distance, and darshan timings for the key temples — see full details with photos below.

# Temple Primary deity Location / distance Darshan timings
1 Anjanadri Hill Temple Lord Hanuman 124 km from Aihole 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
2 Hampi Virupaksha Temple Lord Virupaksha (Shiva) 135 km from Aihole 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
3 Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Sajeeva Brindavana) 199 km from Aihole 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Why Aihole is a major temple destination

Aihole is one of Karnataka's useful temple bases, combining well-known shrines with smaller neighbourhood temples that locals still visit for daily worship. The guide below is arranged for real travel: start with the most important temple, then add nearby shrines in an order that keeps the route simple.

Even when a city is not marketed only as a pilgrimage destination, its temples often hold the memory of older neighbourhoods, local festivals and family vows. Devotees usually come here for blessings of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, family welfare, ancestral prayers and a quieter connection with the region's sacred geography. The city also works well as a base for first-time visitors who want a balanced mix of famous temples and reachable local shrines.

Curated pilgrimage circuit

Temples to Visit Near Aihole

Ordered by pilgrimage importance and practical travel distance from Aihole.

Anjanadri Hill Temple — Lord Hanuman temple in Aihole Same Day

Lord Hanuman

  • Hanumanahalli, near Hampi
  • 124.6 km from Aihole
  • 6:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Anjanadri Hill, Hampi-Koppal region, Karnataka. Believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman (son of Anjana). 575 steps to the top. Panoramic view of Tungabhadra River and Hampi ruins. Combined pilgrimage with Hampi temples highly recommended.)

Anjanadri Hill Temple

Anjanadri Hill forms part of the legendary Kishkindha Kshetra mentioned in the Ramayana. According to tradition, Anjana Devi, the mother of Hanuman, performed intense penance here, and Lord Hanuman was born on this sacred hill—hence the name Anjanadri. The temple sits atop a hill that requires devotees to climb around 550–575 stone steps. Though the climb is steep, the journey is considered an act of devotion, and the reward at the top is immense—both spiritually and visually. The hilltop offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Tungabhadra River, paddy fields, and the ruins of Hampi. The presiding deity is Lord Hanuman in a calm and blessing posture, symbolizing strength, devotion, courage, and humility. The temple is especially vibrant on Hanuman Jayanti, when thousands of devotees visit to seek blessings.

Travel Tip: Visit early morning or evening; carry water.

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Hampi Virupaksha Temple — Lord Virupaksha (Shiva) temple in Aihole Same Day

Lord Virupaksha (Shiva)

  • Hampi, Karnataka
  • 135.9 km from Aihole
  • 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM (Hampi, Ballari district, Karnataka. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient Vijayanagara-era temple. ASI protected.)

Hampi Virupaksha Temple

Hampi Virupaksha Temple is the principal and oldest functioning temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi, Karnataka. Dedicated to Lord Virupaksha (a form of Shiva), this temple has been continuously active for over 1300 years and served as the main temple of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. The temple complex showcases magnificent Vijayanagara architecture with its towering gopuram, intricate carvings, and historical significance. The temple is famous for its elephant Lakshmi and the unique inverted shadow phenomenon of the main gopuram visible inside the temple. Hampi represents one of the greatest medieval Hindu kingdoms and the temple stands as a testament to the empire's devotion to Lord Shiva.

Travel Tip: By Road: Connected from Bangalore and Goa. UNESCO World Heritage Site with heritage tourism infrastructure.

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Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt — Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Sajeeva Brindavana) temple in Aihole Same Day

Sri Raghavendra Swamy (Sajeeva Brindavana)

  • Mantralayam, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh
  • 199.5 km from Aihole
  • 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM (Afternoon break 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Inner Brindavana darshan follows Mutt schedule.)

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt

Mantralayam is not an easy journey from Bangalore, and somehow that feels right. The samadhi of Raghavendra Swamy on the banks of the Tungabhadra is a place where the usual tourist bustle gives way to something more concentrated — grief, gratitude, and prayer in roughly equal measure. The Uttaradi Math runs the complex and provides free meals and accommodation to pilgrims, a tradition of hospitality that has continued unbroken for over three centuries.

Travel Tip: August for the Aradhana Mahotsava when the entire Madhva world converges here and the Mutt vibrates with devotional energy. For a quieter visit, weekday mornings in winter — take a dawn dip in the Tungabhadra before darshan.

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How to Reach Aihole

Reach Aihole by the nearest major railway station or state highway links, then keep the temple circuit local for the first day. For families and senior citizens, a hired cab or auto-rickshaw is easier than changing transport repeatedly. Start with the main temple before the crowd builds, pause for lunch near the city centre, and keep outer temples for the afternoon.

Best Time to Visit Aihole Temples

October to March is the most comfortable season for temple visits in Aihole. Summer afternoons can be tiring, so plan early morning darshan and keep a lighter second half of the day. Festival days are spiritually rewarding but busier; confirm timings, parking and local transport before starting.

Suggested trip plan

Aihole Temple Darshan Itinerary

A curated day-wise route designed for optimal travel times and darshan timings. Adjust around your bookings.

Aihole Temple FAQs

How many temples can I visit in Aihole in one day? ＋
Most visitors can cover 4 to 6 temples in one day if they start early and keep the route within the city or nearby areas.
What is the best time to visit Aihole temples? ＋
The cooler months from October to March are best. For daily darshan, early morning and evening are usually more comfortable than afternoon.
Is Aihole suitable for a family temple trip? ＋
Yes. Keep the first day focused on the main city temples, use local transport, and avoid packing too many distant temples into one day.

Interactive Route Planner

Aihole Temple Locations

Tap any temple to center the map, view driving routes, and get key details.

1

Anjanadri Hill Temple

Day 1 · 124 km

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2

Hampi Virupaksha Temple

Day 1 · 135 km

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3

Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Mutt

Day 2 · 199 km

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Day 1 Day 2 Day 3