Monday, September 2, 2013

Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid

Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid is one of the ancient temple of 12th century. This magnificent temple is a sculptural marvel in stone. Another prominent ancient place Belur is at a distance of 16 km from here. It was built during the rule of King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire. The construction of the temple was completed in 1121 CE. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. 



The temple consists of two different sanctums, each with its respective vestibule navaranga and bull mantapa. These two different temples are symmetrically side by side and connected by a short corridor. The sanctums are star shaped and the halls have indented square plans. These two sanctums are known as "Hoysaleswara" named after the King and "Shantaleswara" named after the Queen. 



The plan of the inside of the temple is simple but the exterior looks different because of the many projections and recesses in the walls. On its outer walls are sculptural several thousands of figures and groups showing to us the world of imagination in which sculptor of those days allowed their minds to wander. On a platform which closely follows the contour of the temple rises the basement which is one of the most elaborately carved.



It is cut up horizontally into about a dozen bands each containing a sculptured frieze. The lowest of these bands has marching of war elephants; further up is the band of charging horsemen. Most interesting of all of them is friezes illustrating episodes from Hindu mythology Mahabharath and Ramayan.



The temple is known for its sculptures that run all along the outer wall, starting with an dancing image of the god Ganesha on the left side of the south entrance and ending with another image of Ganesha on the right hand side of the north entrance.



Opposite to each sanctum outside the hall on the east is a pavilion with a bull and to further east of the south pavilion stands a shrine for Sun-god.

36 comments:

Our photos said...

Beautiful temple!
Greetings, RW & SK

Anonymous said...

The ancient temple looks really magnificent

Little Wandering Wren said...

Almost a year ago I left to travel to India as my son went to boarding school there - thank you for taking me back there.

Those temple carvings are amazing!

Wrenx

The Mukhtiars said...

Lovely clicks

Jojo said...

That is an incredible amount of sculpting. I'm wondering how long, and how many people it must have taken to create so much detail.

India remains on my travel list but where to even start to see a country so vast and rich in beauty, art and nature.

I'm visiting from Travel Photo Discovery - Monday posts.

Jackie and Joel Smith said...

Beautiful photos - interesting tour.

Al said...

I am always astounded at the quality of the stonework in these temples, I can't imagine how much time went into those carvings.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful temples. As always I am amazed at the sculptures and carvings. And I realize I am getting to know a little bit more about India the longer I read your blog. Now I recognize Lord Shiva and especially Ganesha even before you tell me.

Thank you for your lovely pictures and for teaching.

Noel Morata said...

What an elaborate temple, I would love to visit this some day

Anonymous said...

Your temples are always amazing and your photography also ~ carol, xo

Anonymous said...

What a magnificent temple.

Leovi said...

These pictures are very nice, I like this wonderful temple, great art!

Unknown said...

Beautiful work!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

My Unfinished Life said...

Im just loving the intricate sculptures of this temple!!....

nice post!!

http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

Ercotravels said...

Great heritage temple with amazing history! looking gorgeous..

Reader Wil said...

Those decorations must have cost a lot of time and asked a lot of patience of the sculptors. They must have done this with much love and care. Thanks for sharing.
Wil, ABCW Team.

Carver said...

That's a very beautiful temple.
Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Jeevan said...

Excellent capture and truly impressive details! I wish to visit this place sometime.

Roger Owen Green said...

the scriptures are, dare I say, HEAVENLY.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Nanka said...

Brilliant architecture!! The people then were so aesthetic and constructed marvels out of stone!! No comparison to modern day constructions!!

Nanka said...

The people then were so aesthetic and possessed great knowledge to create such wonders out of mere stone!! No comparison to modern day constructions!!

Anonymous said...

i like this temple compound a lot.

Maude Lynn said...

Gorgeous pictures!

betty-NZ said...

What an amazing place! Thanks so much for sharing.

Marisol@TravelingSolemates said...

Hi Rajesh,
I'm amazed that that there seem to be a never ending parade of magnificent temples on your posts! And there's so much interesting history behind them that I don't think I can ever keep up! The intricacies of the detail of the sculptures on the outer wall blew me away.

Pietro Brosio said...

Magnificent temple!

RNSANE said...

This is absolutely beautiful...such intricate carvings. In some ways, it reminds me of the beautiful Hindu temple, 700 years old, near Mysore.

Jama said...

Magnificent building!

Nasreen said...

Awesome clicks.. This temple is like a 1000 pillar temple at warangal.. Thanks for sharing..

Sudhir R said...

I am yet to go and you have inspired me to it early

Ramakrishnan said...

Truly magnificent stunning and awe inspiring !

Joy said...

The sculptures are so intricate and the friezes are fascinating with their repeating rows. What an amazing place.

Joop Zand said...

Very nice photo's....i like this post.

greetings from holland, Joop

http://joopzandfotografie.blogspot.nl

Kokila gupta said...

Beautiful sculpting... Thanks for sharing and the information :)

Unknown said...

Amazing photos :) Loved photos of Lord Ganesha sculptures :) Thanks a lot for sharing :)

Abhijit Ray said...

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.