Monday, August 31, 2015

Kedareshwara Temple, Halebid

Kedareshwara Temple at Halebid is just about 500 m away from the famous Hoysaleshwara Temple. As per inscriptions in this Hoysala temple dedicated to Lord Shiva it is constructed by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II and his queen Ketaladevi.



This magnificent temple is built using soap stone around 1219 A.D stands on a 16 corner platform that is five to six feet in height. The layout of the main shrine is star shaped with two smaller shrines that have perforated windows on the sides.



The temple has eight equally sized strips of sculptures all around it on the external wall. From the bottom the first row has elephants, second row has Cavalry forces, the third and fifth row is decorated with beautiful creepers and flowers. 



The fourth row has series of lions ans this is also a mascot of Hoysala dynasty. The sixth row has various scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharatha, Bhagavatha. The seventh row consists of Makara and eight rows consist of swans.



All around the temple there are sculptures of Gods and Goddesses, shown under ornamented and intricately carved canopies.

28 comments:

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful carvings in this lovely temple honoring Lord Shiva.

Pietro Brosio said...

Magnificent temple, great carvings and decorations.

Cloudia said...

( '>
/))
//"" SO HAPPY to BE BACK!
ALOHA
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Trip was great, but being without internet made me miss you and all

my friends!

Anonymous said...

interesting one :)

Jeannie Marie said...

It always fascinates me how much carving and relief design is on each building! I think there is so much beauty to look at and enjoy! Happy Monday Mellow Yellows!

Fun60 said...

It looks huge.

Sylvia K said...

Such incredible detail/sculpture!! Superb captures as always, Rajesh!! Hope you and you family have a great new week!!

Photo Cache said...

Idk how to say this but I really like the stacked design.

Worth a Thousand Words

Donna said...

Beautiful art amazingly hand carved and those windows are fabulous.

Anonymous said...

Wow - such intricate details and beauty!

Linda said...

Wow! So intricate! Thanks for sharing.

Jackie and Joel Smith said...

Oh the intricate carvings just amaze me. Rajesh you do have a photographer's eye!

photowannabe said...

Amazing construction and intricate design.
I just don't know how these temples were built so beautifully in the 12th century without modern equipment.

Roger Owen Green said...

Again, such detail!
ROG, ABCWk

Reader Wil said...

Your temples are so beautifully decorated. They are very precious. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your kind comment.
Wil, ABCW Team

Al said...

Extraordinary stonework and great shots of it.

Jeevan said...

Incredible temple! Simply awesome work on walls

Saara said...

Hi
I really like ur blog. Its very informative.
What camera have you used to take these pics
Do check out my blog as well on http://photography-saara.blogspot.in/

Joy said...

In my mind soapstone and India are always linked. What a beautiful medium to create these wonderful sculptures.

Ira said...

nice photos!

Joyful said...

Amazing and ancient site.

cedarmerefarm said...

Incredible! It amazes me how something like that was built that long ago and that it's still around today. You are very lucky to be there.

My Unfinished Life said...

I have fallen in love with hoysala temples after my maiden encounter with them last year!!!

Yogi Saraswat said...

Our past was very rich and dedicated for these type of architect . Beautiful place to visit and to be a witness of a great History.

Easwar Arumugam said...

Beautiful temple

Saumy Nagayach said...

Amazing place and photographs :)

Harshita said...

beautiful stone carvings

ekullumanali said...

Beautifully captured and great architectural work.