Halebid Karnataka

Just 16 kms away from Belur, lies Halebid in Hassan District of Karnataka. This was the flourishing Capital City of Hoyasala rulers. During their time Halebid was known as Dwarasamudra. The city had a small fortress with a magnificent palace.

The main attraction of Halebid is the famous Hoyasaleswara Temple situated at the banks of the artificial lake Dwarasamudra, showing the splendor of Hoyasala sculpture, an ancient temple in Karnataka. The twin Shiva temple has a common platform and two garbhagrihas, one beside the other have a common broad navaranga. One of them is Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara Linga and the other Shanthaleshwara Linga.

In front of the Hoyasaleswara temple is a mandapa with a huge Nandi image,and behind that is a shrine of Surya with seven horses.The interior and outer walls are adorned with intrinsically carved sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, sages, birds, animals etc.

It is said that the temple was started in 1121 AD, and even after 80 years of labour, the work was never completed. Yet the mesmerizing beauty of the temple is praiseworthy and Halebid,one of the main monuments of Karnataka, is referred as the Gem of Indian Architecture.

Accommodation

Both luxury and budget hotels are available at Hassan.

Getting there
Halebid is well connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.

Return from Halebid Karnataka to Destination Karnataka