Hoysaleshvar Temple

Largest and most magnificent of the
Hoysala temples at Halebid, the
dynasty’s capital city; the temple itself
was built in 1141–1182. The
Hoysaleshvar Temple is dedicated to
the god Shiva, in his form as “Lord of
the Hoysalas.”
Hoysala temples were built from a
particular type of stone—variously
described as chlorite schist, steatite, or
soapstone—that is quite soft when
newly quarried, but gradually hardens
with exposure to air. This initial
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Hoysaleshvar Temple
Sightseers at the Hoysaleshvar Temple in Halebid.
The temple is known for the detailed and
elaborate stone carvings that ornament its facade.
malleability makes the stone easy to
carve and facilitated the lush detail
characteristic of Hoysala temples. The
Hoysaleshvar Temple is known for the
quantity of lush detail, which surpasses other Hoysala temples. See also
Hoysala dynasty.