File:Scenic view a rare apsidal Durga Temple.jpg

English: Durga temple is a medieval Hindu temple located in Aihole Karnataka, India, it is part of a pending UNESCO world heritage site, apart from the fine carvings, it is famous as a rare apsidal or round ended Hindu temple, representing a final stage in the transition of the ancient chaitya hall tradition to later Hindu temple architecture, the temple was probably built in the late 7th century by the dynasty of the Chalukyas; it is the largest of a group of over 120 temples at Aihole, the architecture of the temple is predominantly Dravida with Nagara style also is used in certain areas, the Durga Temple belongs to Badami Chalukya architecture even though the temple features a Durga sculpture, the origin of the name is not because of its dedication to Goddess Durga, but because Durga means protector or a fortress, the temple formed part of a fortification probably of the Marathas; old photos show walls built on the roof, the original dedication of the temple may have been to the Sun god or perhaps either Vishnu or Shiva as the representations of Vishnu are as numerous as those of Shiva