Halebid is 15 km from Belur.
This
place was known as Dwara Samudra, the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. Halebid
has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala temples and Jain shrines.
The
Hoysaleshwara temple, standing on platform like a casket, is a
sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely detailed scroll
work in stone. Outside there is a Nandi (Bull), the mount of Shiva, and a
hillock where the palace stood, connected to the temple by a passage. Inside
its dark depths, the queen Shantala Devi beckons from an alcove.
The
figure of mortals and immortals are larger here as compared to Belur and are
beautifully chiseled, in shining black stone. The walls of the temples are
covered with variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing
girls.
There is a museum on the lawn with 12-13th century
sculpture and the gold coins in use at the time. Another famous temple is
the Keddareshwara temple where the sculptor's virtuosity seems to have
surpassed even the goldsmith's skill in its sheer intricacy.
One
kilometre from Halebid is Basti Hill where ther are Jain Bastis with
gleaming black stone pillars.
Karnataka
HomeCity To VisitBangalore
-|- Belur
-|- Chitradurga
-|- Helebid
-|- Mysore-|-
Srirangapatna
