HALEBID
Facts And Figures
- Total Population: 3000
- Best time to visit: October - February
- Area: 2.248 sq km
- Languages: Kannada and English
- STD Code: 08177
Halebid flourished as the capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th & 13th centuries. During the reign of Veeraballala II, the grandson of Vishnuvardhana, it reached the pinnacle of its greatness and saw its fall in 1327 AD when it was conquered by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
Formerly known as Dwarasamudra, Halebid is also referred as the Gem of Indian Architecture. Once the capital of the Hoysala Empire after Belur, Halebid is famous for the remnants of the glorious Hoyasala period and has one of the finest Hoysala temples. Hoysaleswara temple in Halebid is spectacular work of art .So is the case with this magnificent Temple, till date the temple is remained unfinished despite of 86 years of hard labor. The temple stands as a testimony to the amazing Hoysaleswara style of art and architecture. Temple walls are decorated with awesome images of variety of gods
and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Kedareswara and Jain temple are other attractions in Halebid
TourismAttractions
- Shiva Temples:
The twin Shiva Temple with a common platform have two garbhagrihas - one housing the Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara Linga and the other Shanthaleshwara Linga.
- Hoysaleshwar Temple:
The construction of this temple started in 1121 AD, but never completed. This is a scriptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scrollwork in stone.
- Nandimantapa:
In front of the Hoysaleshwara is the Nandimantapa and behind that is a shrine of Surya with a 2-m-tall image. The place has a Parshwanatha basadi with highly polished pillars in which strange images of on-lookers are reflected.
Museum of Archaeological Survey of India:
This museum is located in the temple premises displaying sculptures, woodcarvings idols, coins and inscriptions of 12th and 13th centuries.
This is another monument built by Ketaladevi, Ballala II's Queen.
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