Sri Shantaleshwara Temple - Historical landmark in Halebeedu - Hassan, India

This beautiful old temple is located in Halebidu, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has two shrines, and about a thousand beautiful figures carved on its walls. You will find an image of dancing Lord Ganesha at the entrance of the temple. Shivratri is a great time to be here, as the festival is celebrated with great reverance. This Temple built during the rule of the Hoysala dynasty. The twin towns are incredibly important as they give us a glimpse of the regal past of the state. Out of the two towns, Belur was the erstwhile capital of Hoysala Empire. It is a Vaishnava Hindu pilgrimage centre, and is near the foothills of the Western Ghats. While the Chennakeshava Temple is the most important one here, the oldest one in Belur is the Sankaresvara temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Halebidu on the other hand is surrounded by low lying mountains, and rivers. Here you will also find the Hoysala Palace, while the most important temple here is the Hoysaleswara Temple.

No less then 5 stars , this is one of the place you add to 100 things you do before you die. Master piece of stone art and architecture of 11th century, from a distance it looks a big temple structure but as you approach closer & closer it speaks. The lively sculptures talking of the beautiful time people had. Please spare time to visit slowly & if possible take a local guide who will make it lively. Opens at 6 am and closes at 5:30 pm. (Open all days ) No entry tickets. Go enjoy

Halebidu Temple & Shantaleswara temple, especially the former, is often regarded as a perfect example of Hoysala style of architecture. These shrines are named after the masculine and feminine aspects. Halebidu was the capital region for the Hoysalas, who ruled from 10th to 14th century. The construction of this temple was sanctioned in the 12th century by the then Hoysala ruler 'Vishnuvardhana'. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the work began in 1120 AD and completed in 1160 AD. Though the temple had to face the rampages by the Muslim rulers from Delhi and ruined in some way, its artwork remains intact, which is the reason behind the flock of tourists. The entire compound had a lot of temples to Hinduism and Jainism, most of them were destroyed in that invasion. Built using the trademark soapstones (metamorphic rocks), the outer walls have very intrinsic carvings of animal figurines like elephants, horses, lions etc. They are followed by miniature carvings of dancers, friezes narrating legends from the Hindu texts. It is followed by depictions of daily life of people in the next few layers of carving, including festivals. One can also find different carvings depicting artha, kama, dharma scenes including courtship and eroticism. Large panels with bigger figurines depicting the deities of Hinduism, and the mythical scenes from different epic stories are beautifully explained. The interiors are as beautiful as the outer walls. There are 4 entrances to each of the temple shrines. The doors also had two doorkeepers statues on either side, while some were damaged and missing. The four pillars right in front of the shrine have carvings on top of them. Lord Shiva's attendant Nandi statue here is acclaimed to be one of the largest monolithic statues In India. The most interesting part of the temple is the Garuda Sthamba, a rare pillar that depicts the history of the bodyguards that lived with the Kings. These bodyguards committed suicide on the death of their master and the event is narrated in detail on the pillar. There is a museum in the temple premises, managed by the department of archeological survey of India, consisting of different ruins and pieces that were recovered from around the temple. Though there are four different porches serving as four entryways, only the North one is open for the visitors. This temple is considered a marvellous and outstanding example of the kind of labor that has been put to construct and the kind of intricate work that is depicted to compete with worldly arts

IF YOU LOVE THE ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE YOU JUST VISIT IT ...!

Great architecture. Temple is designed in such a way that ample light and air enters. Even in peak summer it was cool inside the temple with cool breeze. Sculptures are astonishing.

Extraordinary temple built in 12th century.have two siva temples built for king and queen.the stone cravings a Were marvellous.better to take a guide if you want to know about it in detail

There are actually two sanctums at the main Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebeedu; the Hoysaleshwara and the Shantaleshwara shrines. Both are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and both have a Nandi bull seated in smaller shrines outside on the east side, facing the Shiva lingas. As you enter the temple complex from the northern gates you are standing in front of the Shantaleshwara deity which is in the form of a Shiva linga. As you proceed further inside the passage in the temple you approach the main deity which is the Hoysaleshwara deity. There are many exquisite carvings and friezes inside and outside the temple. These carvings have been done in soapstone and are a wonder to behold. This heritage site of India is a must visit, along with the Kesava temple at Belur, 17 km from here. Photography is allowed inside the temple, but not of the shrines with the Shiva lingas kept in the sanctum sanctorums. Footwear has to be removed before entering the temple.

Historical place Halebidu Temple & Shantaleswara temple, especially the former, is often regarded as a perfect example of Hoysala style of architecture.Halebidu was the capital region for the Hoysalas, who ruled from 10th to 14th century. The construction of this temple was sanctioned in the 12th century by the then Hoysala ruler 'Vishnuvardhana