Hoysaleshwara and Shantaleshwara Temple
Halebeedu.
Hoysaleshwara & Shantaleshwara Temple
Halebeedu.
About Halebeedu:
Halebeedu is a small town in Hassan District , Karnataka , located about 210Kms from Bangalore. On the way from Hassan to Belur, take a right turn at the road that leads to Halebeedu Temple. Halebeedu was initially called “Dwarasamudra” mainly because of the large man made water reservoir situated adjacent to the temple. Dwarasamudra used to be the regal capital of the Hoysalas from 11th century for 300 years before it was plundered by the Delhi Sultanate in 14th century. The plundering destroyed Dwarasamudra and it came to be know as Halebeedu which in regional language means the ransacked town.
A number of temples were built during this time, the most notable among them being the ornate Hoysaleshwara temple, Kedareshwara temple, Jain Basadi temples, as well as the Hulikere step well (kalyani). All these sites are within a kilometer of each other.
A beautiful aerial view of the temple can be seen on the website of Karnataka Tourism at https://www.karnatakatourism.org/tour-item/halebeedu/
The temple is under the maintenance of Archeological Survey of India and they have done a very good job of proving a beautifully maintained lush green lawn around the temple . While the ASI permits photography at Belur and Halebeedu, they expect the photographers to respect the monument by refraining from the use of tripod or flash.
You can see the lush green lawn and the movement of clouds in the video above.
At all the entrances and the entrance to the Nandi Pavilions there are two mini shrines complete with Vesara and kuta roof. The temple is built on a Jagati which is an elevated platform about 3 meters wide and 1.6meters above the ground. Before you climb on to the jagati from South , there is a beautiful Ganesha idol on the left and a Hoysala emblem to the right.
When you enter the temple from the East entrance, you come across the sanctum of Lord Hoysaleshwara. The hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva in contrast to the Belur temple which is based on Lord Vishnu. However both the temples were sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala empire.
The construction of the temple started in 1121 and was completed in 1160. King Vishnuvardhana moved from Belur to Dwarasamudra . It is believed that a honest minister called Ketamalla in Dwarasamudra constructed the Dvikoota (2 shrines) temple designed in transept architecture . Kettamalla dedicated the Dvikuta temple of Shiva to his King Vishnuvardhana and the Queen Shantaladevi in the form of Hoysaleshwara and Shantaleshwara.
A circular raised platform with four pillars on its perimeter is located in front of Lord’s sanctum. This is called the Nritya Mantapa . It is believed that the queen used to perform classical dance forms in respect to the lord. The Nritya Mantapa has raised pavilions all around where the people used to sit and watch the performance.
The temple is renowned for its intricate roof architecture. The roof is said to be supported by a total of 112 pillars, each adorned with exquisite carvings depicting various mythological and historical scenes. These pillars are a significant aspect of the temple’s structural and artistic beauty
When you come out of the sanctums on East side, you can see the Nandi pavilion opposite to each of the sanctums. The Nandi in front of the Hoysaleswara sanctum is about 9 feet tall and that of the one in front of Shantaleshwara is about 8 feet tall. The two Nandis are 6th and 7th biggest in India but the best ornate Nandis in India.
Nandi is considered to be the celestial vehicle of Lord Shiva and the position of the pavilion shows each of them calmly parked in front of their owner’s abode. Both the Nandi’s are highly decorated with carvings of jewellery consisting garland , bells and other forms of embelishments that is used to normally decorate the animal . The carvings are homolithic . The quality of the stone have improved over time and one can still still the smooth shiny surface of the Nandi.
The external wall of the main hall raises above the Jagati platform. It runs all around the temple. It consists of 9 layers of friezes . The area above the friezes is perforated to allow light and air into the main hall. The first layer consists of a line of elephants walking towards the corner. There are in excess of 1500 elephants all around and it is said no two elephants are similar.
The “Elephant Balustrade” is adorned with intricately carved elephant sculptures. Carved out of stone, each elephant is depicted in a standing position, with trunks raised and adorned with elaborate decorations. The elephants symbolize strength, stability, and auspiciousness in Hindu iconography.
The layer above the elephants consists of horses with soldiers on top . The other layers have foot soldiers, lions, creepers, mythical beasts like ‘Makara’ and swans. The sixth layer has stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.
In another frieze called Sapta Sala Bheda … it shows Rama killing Vali from behind seven trees. The story goes that when Rama approached Sugreeva the Monkey King for help to retrieve the abducted Sita … Sugriva agreed to help Rama but requested Rama to first help him regain his lost kingdom from his brother Vali.
Vali was blessed by a boon from lord Brahma that whoever stands in front of him to fight him, his strength will automatically become twice his opponents strength. So there was no way Rama could have won the battle fighting face to face with Vali. The frieze shows Rama standing behind Sapta (seven) trees and killing Vali with a poisonous arrow (depicted by the snake ) shot through the seven trees at Vali.
The outer walls of the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebeedu are adorned with a mesmerizing array of intricate carvings, each telling a story of divine grace, human endeavor, and mythological legend. Sculptures of Hindu deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga, are depicted in graceful poses, surrounded by celestial beings and mythical creatures. Scenes from the great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, come to life through dynamic carvings, capturing the drama of cosmic battles and the triumph of righteousness. Intricate floral motifs and geometric patterns intertwine with depictions of everyday life, showcasing the richness of medieval Indian culture. These carvings, crafted with meticulous detail and artistic finesse, transform the outer walls of the Halebeedu temple into a veritable gallery of divine artistry and timeless storytelling.
Discover the stunning carvings at Halebeedu. Despite limited tools, the artisans skillfully created towering pillars and intricate walls at the Hoysaleshwara Temple. Experience a remarkable journey through art and spirituality, as echoes of prayer fill the air. A visit to Halebeedu is a timeless treasure of India’s cultural heritage, leaving a profound mark on the soul.
Cheers,
