The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala — the famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura in Karnataka are in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage list.
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History and significance of Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala
The sacred ensembles of the Hoysalas, constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries are represented here by the three components of Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura.
While the Hoysala temples maintain a fundamental Dravidian morphology, they exhibit substantial influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karnataka Dravida modes favoured by the Kalyani Chalukyas.
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The newest Heritage Site from Karnataka consists of three temples from the 12-13th century CE that best represent the unique temple architecture and artistry of the Hoysala dynasty, namely the Chennakeshava temple in Belur, the Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebidu, and the Keshava temple of Somnathpur.
Most of these temples have secular features with broad themes depicted in their sculptures. This can be seen in the famous Chennakesava Temple at Belur dedicated to Vishnu and in the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu dedicated to Shiva. The Kesava temple at Somanathapura is different in that its ornamentation is strictly Vaishnava.
Chennakeshava temple of Belur
Chennakeshava Temple, also referred to as Keshava, Kesava or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur, is a 12th-century Hindu temple in, Hassan district of Karnataka .
It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur.
Hoysaleswara temple of Halebidu
It is also referred simply as the Halebidu temple.
It is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple was built on the banks of a large man-made lake, and sponsored by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire.
Keshava Temple of Somanathapura
The Chennakesava Temple, also referred to as Chennakeshava Temple and Keshava Temple, is a Vaishnava Hindu temple on the banks of River Kaveri at Somanathapura, Karnataka.
The temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III.
Hoysala temple architecture
Hoysala Hindu temple architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka.
It combined features of both the Nagara school and Dravidian school and resulted in a hybridised style.
Influence of Nagara style is in the curvilinear shikhara and the square base of Vesara temples.
Influence of Dravidian style is seen in intricate carvings and sculptures, design of Vimana and step or terraced Shikara of Vesara temples.
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Some of its features are:
■ Multiple shrines of different deities around a central pillared hall.
■ Stellate plan wherein the shrines are established intricately in the design of a star.
■ Soft soapstone being the main building material.
■ Decoration of the temple through sculptures – Both the interior and exterior walls, even the pieces of jewellery worn by the deities were intricately carved.
■ Upraised platform known as Jagati.
■ The walls and stairs of the temple followed a zigzag pattern.
■ Emphasis on vimana and mandapa.
■ Open ambulatory passageway.
■ The pillars, doorways and the ceilings were decorated with intricate carvings.
External link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoysala_architecture
