Journey Around Chikmagalur
Gomatesvara, Sravanabelagola | Hoysalesvara
Temple, Halebid Chennakesava
Temple, Belur | Chikmagalur
Golf Club | Cascades Hill
Resort &Spa site | Muthodi
Wildlife Sanctuary | Mullayyanagiri
peak
Hebbe Falls, Kemmangundi | Sringeri | White-water
rafting, Agumbe Kudremukh range | Cascades
Hill Resort & Spa
Photograph by T.N.A. Perumal, F.R.P.S., M.F.I.A.P.
Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebid
(36 km from Chikmagalur)
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Part
of a frieze, Hoysalesvara
Temple, Halebid |
The most remarkable amongst the Hoysala temples are the ones at Belur,
Halebid and Somanathpur. And of these, the Hoysalesvara temple at
Halebid, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is considered the greatest; representing
the pinnacle of their artistic and architectural achievements. According
to art historian James Fergusson,
"It is one of the most
marvellous exhibitions of human labour to be found even in the patient
east".
Work on the Hoysalesvara temple commenced in 1121 A.D. and continued
for 86 years—despite which it was never completed. Fergusson
remarks that,
"The great temple of Halebid, which, had it
been completed, is one of the buildings on which the advocate of
Hindu architecture would desire to take his stand". Almost
overwhelming in its artistic detail and creative vision, the temple
is covered, inside and out, with a profusion of friezes and carvings
depicting Hindu gods and goddesses, sages, birds, animals, and scenes
involving war, hunting, agriculture, dance and music.
Also to be seen at Halebid are several other significant temples,
shrines, Jain bastis, an archaeological museum and a lake.
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Lake
near Hoysalesvara Temple, Halebid |
Halebid, founded at the start of the 11th century and originally
known as
Dwarasamudram or
Gateway to the Seas, was
the capital city of the Hoysala empire. In the early 1300s, after
the city was destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate and became a shell
of its former self, it was renamed Halebid (Old Capital). Belur then
became the capital of the Hoysala empire.
The Hoysalas, who ruled over parts of Karnataka between 1000 and
1346 A.D., were great warriors and prolific temple builders. A legacy
of over 1,500 temples in 958 centres attests to their vision, craftsmanship
and inspired artistry.
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