Halebid Tourist attractions -  Go on a tour of the temples, Jain Basadis and other historical monuments in and around Halebid.

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Tourist Attractions in Halebid  

The Hoysaleshwara and the Shantaleshwara temples 

Side View of the Hoysaleshwara templeKetumalla, the chief of staff of King Vishnuvardhana, built this temple during 1121 A.D. It is learnt that it took 105 years to complete. Even then there is work appears incomplete.

The deity on the north side temple is called as Shanthaleshwara and that on south side is called as Hoysaleshwara. Both the temples are joined by one veranda.

It looks like star just as in Belur. Behind the Sacred Bull in the mantap, we can see the big idol of Lord Suryanarayana (the Sun God) standing with seven horses.  

Outside the temple is a Nandi (the Sacred Bull), the mount of Shiva, and a hillock where the palaces stood, connected to the temple by a passage.

Inside its dark depths, Queen Shantala Devi beckons from an alcove. The figurines at this temple are larger than Belur and are beautifully chiseled, in shining black stone.

(photo credit: cirdec)

Mythological figures of Humans and Animals carved on the walls   

The walls of the temple are covered with variety of mythological characters, animals, birds and dancing girls. There are floral arches and some of them are finely shaped and finished.

Elephant Carving on Halebidu temple wallInside the temple, we can see a few elegantly carved star-shaped pillars but the ceilings are of greater interest. The doorway also shows a greatness of fine workmanship.

The minute sculptural works in respect of Dwarapalakas (the door keepers), such as the crow and ornaments can never be seen anywhere else. The bracket figures, which were fixed to the roofing, have been stolen and only one remains. 

(Photo by: mattlogelin)

The design and architecture of the temples  

The temple is beautifully designed structured. The Rashtrakutas built the big tank in front of the temple in the 9th Century.

 If one stands on the platform of the temple and sees around he will see the hills opposite and two big bulls facing the temple and Lord Ganesha figure on the south.  

Archeological Museum 

There is an Archeological Museum outside in the sprawling lawn with 12-13th century sculpture and the gold coins in use at the time.

Keddareshwara Temple

Another famous temple is the Sri Keddareshwara Temple, where the intricate carving skills of the artist are seen very clearly. 

Basadi Hill 

One kilometer from Halebid is Basadi Hill, where there are Jain Basadis with gleaming black stone pillars.

The great city of Dwara Samudra flourished as a Capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12th and 13th centuries. During the reign of Veera Ballala II, the grandson of Vishnuvardhana it reached its high point of greatness.  

Sri Ranganatha temple

The Temple of Sri Ranganatha consists of the main deity Lord Sri Ranganatha which is around 6 feet in length and reclining on a hooded serpent. 

Travel Tips

• The sculptural work of the temples is based on Hindu Shastra (Religious rules), Vastu Shastra (rules regarding building plans and designs) and particularly Shilpa Shastras (ancient rules of temple architecture and sculpting).
• Visit the on-site Archaeological Museum (Saturday to Thursday 10 Am -5 Pm) to see more stone creations of Hindu mythology, gathered from Halebid and its immediate vicinity.
• If you crave for more, without the usual tourist din and noise, then spend sometime at the Kedareshvara Temple, which is slightly away from the main temple precincts.
• A good number of visitors come from all parts of India and foreign countries to see these world famous temples. The Archaeological Department has appointed guides for the help of visitors. 
  The climate at Halebid is pleasant throught the year.

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Places to see around Halebid

Halebid is very close to Belur tourists often combine both these in thier trip plans. There are quite a few other places which do not attract crowds as much as that for Belur - Halebid.

Jain Temples

Apart from the Hindu temples, we also see number of Jain temples around. A little distance away, south of Basadihalli, there are three Jain temples.

Out of them Parshwanatha Swamy Temple is an important one with lovely carvings of the door tops in Halebeedu style. The twelve pillars that hold the doom appear thoroughly polished and have been shaped attractively.

Lord Parshwanatha Swamy figure, 14 feet in height and with curly hairs, is made out of black stone. A seven-headed serpent appears to be protecting the Lord. The central mandir is of Lord Adinatha Swamy which is to the east of Lord Shanthinatha Swamy.

Koramangala

Koramangala is 10 kms from Hassan. There is a Shiva Temple, which dates back to 1173 A. D. The temple is built in Hoysala style.

Mosale

Mosale is situated about 12 kms from Hassan on Hassan-Mysore Road which houses twin temples of Lord Nageshwara and Channakeshava. This place is worth a visit.

Gorur

Gorur is situated about 20 kms from Hassan in Hassan-Arkalgud Road. The temple of Yoganarasimha Swamy situated on the banks of river Hemavathi River is in Hoysala style.

Hemavati Dam at Gorur 

Trikuteshwara, Vasudeva and Kailaseshwara temples are situated here. The dam constructed across the river Hemavathi is a picnic spot.

(photo credit: techno freak)

Manzarabad Fort

This fort is situated about 7 kms from Sakaleshpur. The fort is at a height of 3240 ft from sea level. Tipu Sultan constructed this fort in 1792 A.D

Bisle Ghat

Bisle Ghat is situated about 65 kms from Sakaleshpur on Sakaleshpur-Subramanya Road. This place is full of panoramic view points and a favorite place for trekkers.

• See the monolithic statue of Gomateshwara in Shravanabelagola
• or Explore the Belur Chennakeshava temple
• or  Go  back to Hassan Travel Guide