Halebid this place was known as
Dwara Samudra,
the wealthy capital of Hoysalas. Halebid has several strikingly beautiful Hoysala
temples and Jain shrines. The
Hoysaleshwara temple, standing on platform
like a casket, is a sculptural extravaganza, richly endowed with most finely
detailed scroll work in stone.
Outside there is a
Nandi (Bull), the mount of Shiva, and a hillock where
the Palace stood, connected to the temple by a passage. Inside its dark depths,
the queen Shantala Devi beckons from an alcove.
The figure of mortals and immortals are larger here as compared to Belur and
are beautifully chiseled, in shining black stone.
The walls of the temples are covered with variety of gods and goddesses, animals,
birds and dancing girls. There is a museum on the lawn with 12-13th century
sculpture and the gold coins in use at the time.
Another famous temple is the
Keddareshwara temple where the sculptor's
virtuosity seems to have surpassed even the goldsmith's skill in its sheer intricacy.
One kilometre from Halebid is Basti Hill where there are Jain Bastis with gleaming
black stone pillars.
