Hoysaleshwara Temple is located in Halebidu in Hassan district of Karnataka state. The Hoysaleshwar Temple at Halebidu (formerly Dwarasamudra) in Karnataka is a wonderful example of Hoysala architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in the 12th century during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire.
Halebidu Hoysaleswara Temple is 210.4 kilometers from Bangalore and 31.8 kilometers from Hassan. Located at a distance of 31.8 kilometers from Hassan railway station.
History
The temple was commissioned in 1121 CE by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire, which ruled much of South India at its height. Based on an inscription found in nearby Ghattadahalli, it is said that the construction of this temple was started in 1121 by King Vishnuvardhana’s Dandanayaka Ketamalla.
The most famous king of the Hoysala Empire was Bittiga or Ballala Bittideva. His later name was Vishnuvardhana (reign: Su 1110-1142). During the reign of Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala Empire not only became the strongest empire in present day Karnataka but also expanded into neighboring states. The Hoysaleshwara Temple was originally known as the Dwarasamudra Temple (after the Hoysala capital Dwarasamudra, now known as Halebidu), a symbol of the kingdom’s prosperity and devotion to Lord Shiva. The temple was named after its builder, King Vishnuvardha, whose other title was “Hoysaleshwar”, meaning “Lord of the Hoysalas”.
Architecture
The Hoysaleshwara Temple is built in the Hoysala style of architecture, noted for its intricate detailing, star-shaped design and use of soapstone (chloritic schist). The temple is a dvikuta (two-shrine) structure with two sanctums, each dedicated to Lord Shiva, facing east. Two temples have large lingams one is Hoysaleshwar (King God) and Shantaleshwar (named after Queen Shantala Devi).
Sculpture
The most striking feature of the Hoysaleshwara temple is its friezes. These horizontal bands, usually depicting elephants, lions, horses and floral motifs, form a continuous narrative around the temple. The attention to detail and precision of these carvings demonstrate the expertise of the artisans.
The temple has several sculptures of Hindu deities including Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, each represented in their various forms and avatars. The depictions of Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, and Harihara, the combined form of Vishnu and Shiva, are particularly notable for their aesthetic beauty.
Hoysala sculpture has adopted the qualities of both Dravidian and Aryan styles. This style is also known as Vesara or Hoysala style. All the Hoysala temples consist of a star-shaped world.
Studies have revealed that more than twenty thousand sculptors/workers were involved in the construction of this temple. Thousands of people have joined hands, including stone finders, fetchers, first-stage carvers, setters, final stage carvers, stone workers. Apart from all these, a model map of the temple would have been prepared by the chief architect. According to it, skilled sculptors were involved in the work for years. Some of the idols were fully carved and assembled, while others were carved after assembly. Hoysalas’ irrepressible patronage of sculpture can be said to be the reason for the construction of wonderful temples in Halebid. Although the temple has a wonderful work, the names of the sculptors/workers who did the carvings are not known much.
