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Aihole, Karnataka, 8th Century AD
The first set of temples were either the Stupas or the Cave temples as in Ajanta and Ellora. The Durga Temple at Aihole is the first free standing temple we have. Interestingly, its apse (the passageway for circumbulation) is built like the Vihars in Ajanta. This clearly demonstrates that the floor plan continued to be of a cave temple, but in a free standing building. The Shikhar is a small one and is disproportionate to the length of the building. But the first step to construction of a free standing temple has been taken. The rest is history.
The first set of temples were either the Stupas or the Cave temples as in Ajanta and Ellora. The Durga Temple at Aihole is the first free standing temple we have. Interestingly, its apse (the passageway for circumbulation) is built like the Vihars in Ajanta. This clearly demonstrates that the floor plan continued to be of a cave temple, but in a free standing building. The Shikhar is a small one and is disproportionate to the length of the building. But the first step to construction of a free standing temple has been taken. The rest is history.
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