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Halebeedu-
Gem of Indian Architecture
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The
great city of Dwarasamudra flourished as a Capital
of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th and 13th centuries.
During the reign of Veeraballala II, the grandson of Vishnuvardhana
it reached the greatness of its zenith. Veeraballala
II extended his empire from sea to sea between the Cauvery
and Krishna rivers.
On
account of certain reasons this came to decadence stage.
The State government under took the renovation work about
30 years ago and the town as well as its area gradually
improved. The climate is pleasant. There are buses running
from Hassan, Arasikere and Belur. There is a big tank, which
feeds thousands of acres of land wherein sugarcane and paddy
are grown.
Naatya Saraswathi |
Balamuri Ganapathi |
Lord Ganesha |
Gajacharmabara |
The
population is about 3,000. It is a hobli headquarter having
medical facilities and educational facilities to study even
up to P. U. C. A good number of visitors come from all parts
of India and foreign countries to see the world famous temple.
The Archaeological Department has appointed guides for the
help of visitors.
The
sculptural work of the temples is based on shastras and
importance. One can collect the information to his maximum
desire. The town is only famous for it was capital city
because of the surrounding places are of historical prominence
of the neighboring villages such as Rajanasiriyur,
Huvinahalli, Karikattehalli, Hulikere and Basadihalli, etc. were named
for their special importance.
Hoysaleshwara
Temple:
The temple has got very good appearance. The Rashtrakutas
built the big tank in front of the temple in the 9th Century.
The town was named as Dwarasamudra. If one stands
on the platform of the temple and sees around he will see
the hills opposite and two big bulls facing the temple
and Ganesha figure on the south. These attract the
attention of even the children. The big temple consists
of two temples, built inside. There are four doors in total.
The
minute sculptural works in respect of Dwarapalakas,
i.e., crow and ornament can never be seen anywhere else.
The bracket figures, which were fixed to the roofing, have
been stolen and only one remains as a token. The figures
carved in this temple are bigger than those of Belur, and
some of the figures are carved on both sides of the stone.
Those who visit Belur temple will visit Halebeedu temple
also. The Capital of Hoysalas during the 12th and 13th centuries
A. D. is now called as Halebeedu.
This
city was built during the 12th century. It flourished for
about 150 years in the Deccan. During 1311 A. D. Malli
Kafur looted this city and carried away all the wealth
on camels. After some time, Mohammed Bin-Tugaluk
invaded and looted the entire wealth of this city in 1326
A. D. This was reduced to poverty after the death of the
King Ballala III.
During
the 17th century the Vijayanagar dynasty changed its Capital
to Belur and the ruined city was called as Halebeedu. The
Archaeological Survey of India is doing research work with
the hope of getting the artistic figures. The existing ones
are highly appreciated by the western artists.
The impotent temples of this town are
1. Hoysaleswara temple
2. Kedareshwara temple
3. Jain Mandira
4. Sri Ranganatha temple in the middle of the town.
Hoysaleshwara
Temple:
Ketumalla, the chief of staff of Vishnuvardhana, built this
temple during 1121 A.D. Even then it is learnt that it took
105 years to complete. Even now there is some incomplete
work. Both the temples are joined by one veranda from outer
views. It looks like star just as Belur. The God on the
northern side temple is called as Shanthaleshwara
and that on southern side is called as Hoysaleshwara.
These Shaiva Gods are in the shape of Linga, indication
to small bull in front of these Gods big bull are kept in
stone mantaps outside in front of each temple. They have
been fully decorated by stone ornaments around their neck.
Behind the bull in a mantap we can see big sized Suryanarayana
standing with seven horses and Arundadeva. It
is said that Ketumalla built these temples joined
into one.
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Ugra Narasimha
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Wall Carvings
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Hoysaleshwara Temple
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Partial View of
the Temple
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As
per the opinion of Ferguson, the archaeological expert,
it was told that this is the reflection
of the Indian Vastushilpa. The innumerable number
of figures carved on the outer wall can nowhere be seen
in ancient sculpture. If we go around the temple in three
stage we can see the
Durbar of Lord Shiva,
the childhood plays of Bala Krishna,
the fight between Karna and Arjuna
the lifting of Govardhanagiri by Krishna
Gajendramoksha on the western side and
the shooting of Matsya Yantra.
The story of Krishna and Arjuna can also be seen. The monkey
army giving the ornaments to Sri Rama Chakra Vyuha Kote;
Krishna and Arjuna getting down from the chariot and taking
bath in the pond on hearing the death news of Abhimanyu.
The demon King Ravana is lifting Kailasa Parvatha; these
are all the important figures.
The
rows of Makara and Hamsa as well as swan carved on them.
The carving of several forms of Vishnu in Shiva temple shows
the equal view of Hoysala Kings among other Gods. It will
be very pleasing to see the dancing pose of Shiva carved
above the walls. Even though there are thousand of carved
figures one resembles the other. All the real poses of man
have been carved on the wall.
Kedareshwara
Temple:
Veeraballala II and his younger Queen Abhinva Ketala Devi
built the temple of Kedareshwara in 1319 A.D. This temple
was praised by Ferguson two centuries ago as "Gem of Indian
Architecture". He expressed that if this temple had been
illustrated in any thing like completeness there was probably
nothing in India which would have conveyed a better idea
of what its architecture was capable of doing. Unfortunately
portions of the temple collapsed more than 70 years ago
and it was not possible to bring it to its original shape.
In the beginning, its Navaranga hall a smaller shrine on
either side while over the main shrine raised a beautiful
star-shaped vimana of smooth stone. The other walls, the
tower, the doorway and the ceiling were more magnificently
carved and the temple looked like a divine piece of jewellery
than a building. The basement of the temple which stands
on a high platform has a large number of sculptured friezes
showing the marching of Elephants, charging Horse, Lion,
Mythical animal, Swans and finally designed creeper scrolls,
they are all from stories of Ramayana, Mahabharatha and
Bhagavad-Gita in a large sculptured band.
The
upper parts of the wall bear nearly 180 beautifully carved
images of various Gods and Goddesses. Those Gods and Goddesses
stand under elegantly designed floral arches and some of
them are finely shaped and finished. Inside the temple,
we can see a few elegantly carved star-shaped pillars but
the ceilings are of greater interest. Mostly they are some
simple dances full of carvings. The doorway also shows a
greatness of fine workmanship.
Basadi
Halli (Jain Mandir):
There are three Jain temples to the south of Basadihalli,
two furlongs from Hoysaleshwara temple. Out of them Parshwanatha
Swamy temple is an important one. The construction of
this temple being of high grade and the appreciable carvings
of the door tops high in Halebeeduu work. The twelve pillars
that hold the doom have been cut in a fine and attractive
manner. We can see even our image on each pillar. The pillars
have been lathed well that the images differ from one another.
The faces can be seen just as in a mirror. The Parshwanatha
Swamy figure is made out of black stone and it is 14 feet
in height. A seven-headed serpent has been carved on the
head of this figure having curly hairs. The central mandir
is of Adinatha Swamy and that is east of Shanthinatha
Swamy.
Lord Krishna |
Nandi |
The
Temple of Sri Ranganatha:
The figure is 5-6 feet in height and sleeps on a serpent.
God Brahma has born in the lotus of his Navel (Nabhi) Adidevi
is serving him at his feet. The figure is of fine art. Ashtadikpalakas
have been made in its arch.
You
can also visit Museum managed by Archeology Department of
Karnataka.
Entry Fees: Rs.2/-
Distance
from Hassan to Halebeedu: 31 kms.
KSRTC
Bus fare:
From Hassan to Halebeedu: Rs.11/-
From Belur to Halebeedu: Rs.7/-
Parking
fees for Vehicles in Halebeedu: Rs.15/-
But no watchman and shelter facility!!!!
Accommodation
at Halebeedu:
Travellers Bungalow
PWD, Halebeedu.
Rooms: 05
Tariff:
Double: Rs.60/-
It
is suggested to stay at Hassan.
Click
here to see the list of hotels at Hassan.
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here if you would like to Contribute or send a feedback.
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to go to the Travel Main Page.
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