Sudha Murty's travel advice: Add this UNESCO heritage site in Karnataka to your must-visit list

Sudha Murty drew attention to the majestic Hoysala temples, an architectural marvel and a pride of Karnataka. Built over a millennium ago, these glorious temples are a testament to India’s magnificent architectural culture. Sharing the pictures, the author-philanthropist wrote, “The Hoysala Temples, constructed over 1000 years ago, are one of the splendours of Karnataka. These treasures are one-of-a-kind and cannot be replicated. I was truly overwhelmed when this site received UNESCO recognition. Now, these heritage temples can be spectacles for the world to explore and learn about.”

The Hoysala Temples of Karnataka were recently incorporated into UNESCO’s World Heritage List. They are known not just for their imposing structures but also for their intricate wall sculptures. Here’s all you need to know about these temples:

Significance Of Hoysala Temples

Constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries, the three temples now honored on the UNESCO World Heritage List hold significant value, not only as marvels of architectural brilliance but also as historical narratives reflecting the political landscapes of their era.

These temples are the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, and the Keshava Temple in Somanathapura.

The Hoysala dynasty, which governed Karnataka from the 10th to the 14th centuries, initially served as regional administrators under the Western Chalukyas. However, as the dominant southern empires—the Western Chalukyas and the Cholas—began to weaken, the Hoysalas rose to power as independent rulers.

Two of the UNESCO-listed temples are situated in cities that were once Hoysala capitals: Belur and later Halebidu, also known as Dwarasamudra. The Chennakeshava Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, was consecrated around 1117 AD by the powerful Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his triumphs over the Cholas.

Due to its association with these victories, it is also referred to as the Vijaya Narayana Temple. Another Vaishnava shrine, the Keshava Temple, was constructed in Somanathapura around 1260 AD by Somanatha, a general under Hoysala King Narasimha III.

The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu is recognized as the largest Shiva temple created by the Hoysalas and dates back to the 12th century.

A distinguishing characteristic of Hoysala architecture is the use of soapstone, a soft and easily carvable material, which accounts for the profusion of intricate sculptures adorning the temple walls.

These carvings include depictions of animals, scenes from everyday life, and narratives from the epics and the Puranas.

The detailed representations of jewelry, headgear, clothing, and other aspects provide insight into the societal norms of the time.

What Makes Hoysala Temples An Architectural Wonder?

Another distinctive feature of Hoysala architecture is the fusion of different stylistic elements. The temples are typically built on star-shaped platforms and house multiple structures within their complexes. The walls and pillars are embellished with elaborate sculptures that, according to Shobhi, offer “rich narrative and descriptive dimensions.”

One fascinating aspect of Hoysala temples is the presence of signatures by the artisans and masons who worked on them, sometimes including additional details.

These Vaishnava and Shaiva shrines were erected during a period when Jainism was prominent in the region, marking a significant shift towards Hinduism. Although hundreds of Hoysala-era temples, both large and small, have survived, these three are considered some of the finest examples of Hoysala art.

Regarding the Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, K. A. Nilakanta Sastri notes in his A History of South India that “the total number of pillars is 46. All of them, except the four in the central bay, are of different design so that the variety and complexity of the whole is astonishing.” It is believed that one of the sculptures, Darpana Sundari (the lady with the mirror), is modeled after Shantala Devi, the queen of Vishnuvardhana, who commissioned the temple.

The Keshava Temple in Somanathapura is constructed in the form of a 16-point star and contains three shrines dedicated to Keshava, Janardhana, and Venugopala. However, the statue of Keshava is currently missing.