Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
– History
The
Temple was built by Ketamalla Dandanayaka, a military
general of Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana (1108 – 1152 CE) as per an inscription
found in the Kalleshvara Temple ruins in Ghattadahalli at about 5 Kms from the Hoysaleswara
Temple. The foundation inscription of this
temple is likely lost, along with the many other features of the
original temple.
The
temple was called as Vishnuvardhana Poysalesvara in
honour of the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. Its construction started around 1121
CE and completed in 1160 CE. The
temple was called as Hoysaleswara Panchikeswara in later inscriptions.
The sculptures contain the signatures of the architects in the pedestal.
The most repeated names of the
architects found at the
temple include Manibalaki, Mabala, Ballana, Bochana, Ketana, Bama,
Balaki and Revoja. The temple, along with the nearby Jain
Temples and the Kedareshwara
temple, as well as the Kesava
temple in Belur, have been proposed to be listed under UNESCO
World Heritage Sites.
Halebidu was called as Dvarasamudra
/ Dorasamudra during Hoysala rule. It is derived from two Sanskrit words Dvara
(Door or Gateway) and Samudra (Ocean or large water body). Belur was the
capital during the early period of Hoysalas. Later, Dvarasamudra became their
regal capital under the rule of the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana and served as
the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty for nearly 300 years.
The Hoysala Empire and its
capital Dvarasamudra was invaded, plundered and destroyed in early 14th
century by the Delhi Sultanate armies of Alauddin Khilji. Again,
Belur and Dvarasamudra became the target of plunder and destruction in 1326 CE
by another Delhi Sultanate army of Sultan Muhammad bin
Tughlaq. Dvarasamudra and its temples became ruins, the capital abandoned,
and the site came to be called as Halebidu (means old camp or capital).
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