Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu – History

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 14^th 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).