Introduction
The Hoysaleswara temple, or the Halebidu temple, is one of the largest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Halebidu, a town in the Hassan district of Karnataka. The temple was constructed in the 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana.
Hoysaleswara Temple
The construction of this temple started in 1121 CE and was completed by 1160 CE. Known for its exquisitely intricate carvings, the Hoysaleswara temple is believed to have derived its name from Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara, the ruler of the Hoysala empire at the time. The temple, though a monument dedicated to Shaivism, includes various themes such as Jainism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism. The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Santaleswara and Hoysaleswara Shiva lingas, which represent the masculine as well as feminine aspects. This beautiful structure is surrounded by ponds and lakes. King Vishnuvardhana converted from Jainism to Shaivism and built the temple as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
