| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas | |
| Location | Karnataka,India |
| Includes | |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iv |
| Reference | 1670 |
| Inscription | 2023 (45thSession) |
TheSacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas is a group of threeHoysala-style temples inSouth India recognized as aWorld Heritage Site. These temples atSomanathapura,Belur andHalebidu, were built between the 12th and 13th centuries under theHoysala Empire.[1] The three temples under the title of theSacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas were inscribed on theUNESCOWorld Heritage List in 2023, for their outstanding architecture, hyper-realisticsculptures andstone carvings.[2]
The architectural style of the three temples was developed by the early Hoysala rulers – who established their new kingdoms and regimes inSouth India – as a distinctive and innovative sacred architecture, which distinguishes the temples from contemporary kingdoms and dynasties.[3][4] These temples are as follows:
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas is located in three places in two districts ofKarnataka, there are two temples inHassan district and one temple inMysore district.[5]
TheChennakeshava Temple is located inBelur, about 35 kilometers (22 mi) northwest ofHassan town, the headquarter ofHassan district. The temple is about 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) away fromHalebidu Temple. The nearest airport to the temple isBangalore Airport, from which it is a 220 km (137 mi) long drive of about 3.5 hours onNational Highway 75 heading west.[6] TheHoysaleswara Temple is located inHalebidu town in Hassan district ofKarnataka state. It is about 30 km (19 ma) north-west of Hassan and about 16 km (9.9 ma) from Belur temple. The temple is reached by a 210 km (130 mi) long drive of about 4 hours on the National Highway 75 heading west from Bangalore Airport.[6] The nearest city to both the temples of Hassan district isHassan, which is connected to the majorcities of Karnataka by railway network.
TheKeshav Temple is located atSomnathpura, 38 kilometers (24 mi) east ofMysore city, the headquarters ofMysore district.[7]
The Hoysala dynasty ruled large parts of present-dayKarnataka between the 11th and 14th centuries. By the end of the 12th century, they had expanded the agrarianeconomic system of their kingdom and had also begun to establish taxation, revenue andadministrative systems, thus beginning the process of state formation. At the same time, the Hoysala kings made a concerted effort to establish a new and distinct identity for their kingdom through patronage of art,architecture andliterature. As a result, a new form of temple architecture developed, combining superior carving and superior decoration with innovative temple planning. This architectural style synthesized and combined architectural features prevalent in different parts of the country with original elements in innovative ways.[5]
One of the Hoysala kings wasVishnuvardhana, who came to power in 1110 AD. He commissioned theChennakeshava Temple dedicated toVishnu in 1117 AD, it considered the "five foundations" of his legacy.[8][9] The main Chennakeshava Temple atBelur was completed in 1117 AD, although the complex continued to expand for over 100 years. Ketamalla, an employee of King Vishnuvardhana, built theHoysaleswara Temple in 1150 AD. It also mentions that the king granted land for the construction, operation and maintenance of theShiva temple in 1121 AD. It is the largest temple built by the Hoysala kings dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. TheKeshav Temple atSomanathapura was completed in 1258 AD by King Somnath. He also built a fort wall around the land, but these are now in ruins. The Hoysala kings employed many famousarchitects and craftsmen, who developed a new architectural tradition, which art historian Adam Hardy calls theKarnata Dravida tradition.
The temples became targets of plundered and destruction by theDelhi Sultanate army ofAlauddin Khalji in the early 14th century[10] and another Delhi Sultanate army of SultanMuhammad bin Tughluq in 1326 AD.[11]
According to a 15th-century inscription, theKeshav Temple was also badly damaged. It was repaired in the 16th century with financial support and grants from the emperors of theVijayanagara Empire. Repairs are evidenced by the varying color and quality of stonework in theveranda and north tower and in parts of the platform of the main temple. The repaired temples was damaged in the 19th century, then rebuilt by the colonial-eraGovernment of Mysore in the early 20th century.[12]
| Sequence | Modern temple name | Religion | Deity | Completed by (CE) | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chennakeshava Temple | Hinduism | Vishnu | 1117 |  |
| 2 | Hoysaleswara Temple | Hinduism | Shiva | 1160 |  |
| 3 | Keshava Temple | Hinduism | Vishnu | 1258 |  |