Kedareshwara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka

Kedareshwara Temple, Halebidu, Karnataka

Kedareshwara Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Halebidu Town in Belur Taluk in Hassan District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is situated close to the famous Hoysaleswara Temple. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

The temple was built by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II (1173 – 1220 CE) and his younger Queen Abhinava Ketala Devi in 1219 CE. Halebidu (Dwarasamudra) was the regal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12^th century CE. The temple, along with the nearby Jain Temples and Hoysaleswara 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).

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2022/07/kedareshwara-temple-halebidu-temple.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 1 Km from Halebidu Bus Stand, 18 Kms from Belur, 31 Kms from Banavara, 32 Kms from Hassan, 33 Kms from Hassan Junction Railway Station, 170 Kms from Mangalore, 171 Kms from Mangalore Airport, 211 Kms from Bengaluru and 233 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The temple is situated on Banavara to Mangalore route.

Location