If you think you have had an overdose on the tall vimanas and gopurams of other prominent South Indian temples, the Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebid will be a welcome relief for you and your neck too. Moreover the magnificent sculptures are conveniently placed more or less at eye view level, thanks to the elevated platform of the temple. It is not that this temple was meant to be any different from the other South Indian temples by not having an imposing vimana, it is just that the construction of this temple is still incomplete, and a massive vimana was part of the original plan which was not executed at the time of construction.
Though still incomplete, this temple offers so many numerous ornate carvings on it’s walls that they should form a noisy cluster amongst themselves, but they don’t. The temple was build keeping all the rules and laws of vastu shstra which makes the temple extremely comfortable. For example one of the walls in the temple has numerous perforations to allow ventilation while the other one is a solid rock to block out sunlight during the hot summer afternoons.
halebid - hoysaleswara temple sprawling gardens are great picnic spots
The carvings of this temple is so intricate that you will be wondering if they were carved out or wood or stone. Some of the sculptures are actually hollow, so if you pass something through the nose it will come out of the ear and visa versa. The minute sculptural works in respect of Dwarapalakas, i.e., crow and ornament can never be seen anywhere else. The bracket figures, which were fixed to the roofing, have been stolen and only one remains as a token. The figures carved in this temple are bigger than those of Belur, and some of the figures are carved on both sides of the stone. Those who visit Belur temple will visit Halebeedu temple also.
halebid - hoysaleswara temple
The Capital of Hoysalas during the 12th and 13th centuries A. D. is now called as Halebeedu. The temple has got very good appearance. The Rashtrakutas built the big tank in front of the temple in the 9th Century. The town was named as Dwarasamudra. If one stands on the platform of the temple and sees around he will see the hills opposite and two big bulls facing the temple and Ganesha figure on the south. These attract the attention of even the children. The big temple consists of two temples, built inside. There are four doors in total.
halebid - hoysaleswara temple sprawling gardens are a great picnic spot
