Hoysaleswara

Hoysaleswara is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, located in Halebidu (Hassan district), Karnataka, India. It is the principal monument of the Halebidu temple complex, which also includes the Kedareswara Temple. The temple was commissioned by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana and constructed during the height of the Hoysala empire, in the mid-12th century, when Halebidu served as the dynasty’s capital Dorasamudra.

Architecturally, Hoysaleswara exemplifies the Hoysala style. The temple stands on a raised platform and features a star-shaped (stellate) plan, a sanctum housing a Shivalinga, and a procession hall with multiple mantapas. The exterior walls are densely carved with high-relief sculptures in sandstone and soapstone, depicting a wide range of subjects. Friezes and panels show deities, celestial beings, and scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as dancers, musicians, and everyday people in intricate detail. The interior columns and superstructure showcase the refined craftsmanship characteristic of Hoysala architecture, including lathe-turned pillars and delicate ornamentation.

Historically, the temple suffered extensive damage during invasions in the later medieval period. Today, it is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and is regarded as one of the finest expressions of Hoysala sculpture and architecture. The Hoysaleswara temple, together with its companion Kedareswara temple, remains a key source for understanding the artistic achievements of the Hoysala era.