HOYSALA TEMPLES (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art & Culture)

Context: Recently, the Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapur in Karnataka were granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a development that promises to enhance their global visibility and potentially boost international tourism to these sites.

Hoysala Temples

• The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala were constructed during the 12th and 13th centuries.
• 3 key components: Belur, Halebid, and Somnathpur.

Chennakeshava Temple – Belur

• About: It is also referred to as the Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur.
• It is a 12th-century Hindu temple in Karnataka.
• Commissioned by: King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur also called Velapura, an early Hoysala Empire capital.
• Devoted to: Lord Vishnu.

Hoysaleshwara Temple- Halebid

• About: This temple referred to simply as the Halebidu temple is a 12th-century Hindu temple Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.
• The temple was built in 1121 CE during the reign of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara.
• Famous for: More than 240 wall sculptures that run all along the outer wall.

Keshava Temple- Somanathapura

• This is a Vaishnava temple on the banks of River Kaveri at Somanathapura, Karnataka.
• The temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III.

UNESCO

• Formation: 1945, is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) based in Paris.
• Objective: It works to achieve peace and security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms.
• Members: 195 member states and 10 associate members. India is a founding member of the Organization.
• Headquarters: Paris, France.