HOYSALA TEMPLES AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
The Hoysala Temples in Karnataka (Belur, Halebidu & Somanathapura) were officially inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. They have been inscribed as Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas.
It is India’s 42nd UNESCO heritage site.
These temples are also protected by Archaeological Survey of India.
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES OF HOYSALA TEMPLES
- Hoysala architecture is the building style in Hindu temple architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries,
- The Hoysala Temples are known for evolving a distinct style that is ornate with temple architecture following a stellate plan built on a raised platform.
- Material Used: Chloritic Schist.
- It is believed to be a mix of Nagara temple style & Dravidian Temple architecture.
WHICH DEITIES ARE WORSHIPPED?
- The Hoysalas usually dedicated their temples to Shiva or to Vishnu (two of the popular Hindu gods).
- But they occasionally built some temples dedicated to the Jain faith as well. (two notable locations of Jain worship in the Hoysala territory were Shravanabelagola and Kambadahalli.)
- The Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi (“Goddess of Wealth”) Temple is an exception as it is dedicated to neither Vishnu nor Shiva.
