Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid in Karnataka extols the superiority
of Hindu architecture. This 12th century temple is one of the most ornate
temples built by Hoysala. The shrine is known for its minute details. Literally
several thousands of sculptures adorn this wonderful temple.
Hoysaleswara Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.
Hoysaleswara Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.
The temple is divkuta, having two sanctum sanctorums, two
sukanasis and two navarangas. It appears like two temples were built
symmetrically side by side and was connected by a small corridor.
The temple is in the form of a star and stands on a
platform. The shrine is built of soapstone.
The southern shrine has a linga named Vishnuvardhana and the
northern side has a linga named Shantaleshwara.
The horizontal friezes of the shrine has sculptors
illustrating episodes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavad Purana.
Above the friezes are thousands of sculptures of various
gods and goddesses in Hindu pantheon.
The most important and striking sculptures are that of
Ganesha, Saraswati, Shiva in various forms, Brahma, dancing Lakshmi, Narasimha,
Venugopala, different forms of Vishnu, Umamaheswara, Durga etc.