Visit Hoysaleshwara Temple In Halebid: Top Tourist Places To Visit In Karnataka (2024)

Located in the west of the Dwarasamudra lake in a small town of Halebid in the Indian state of Karnataka, Hoysaleswara temple is one significant 12th century Hindu Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is believed to be one of the three most important landmark monuments of the Hoysala empire. Currently, this magnificent Hoysaleswara temple has devotees coming from across the country and it is not only considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Karnataka but also as a really significant monument dedicated to Lord Shiva in South India.

The Hoysaleshwara temple derives its name from King Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara, the preceding ruler of the great Hoysala dynasty who funded the construction of the temple. The temple receives the love and attention of a huge number of devotees that come from across the country frequently to seek the blessings of the almighty. In this article, we have collected all of the information which you must know about the Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebid, so that you have a better experience later on. Image Source

Why Should You Visit The Hoysaleshwara Temple In Halebid?

The construction of the stunning Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebid began in 1121 CE and finally ended by 1160 CE. The temple also sports a detailed and impressive design on its walls. Today you may find the artwork as well as the architecture of the temple to be damaged but it was a result of the ransacking done by the Muslim armies in the 14th century. However, despite this damage, the temple is largely intact and is regarded as one of the seven wonders of the country. The Hoysaleshwara temple has also been proposed to be listed under the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. If you are still searching for reasons to visit this Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebid, then continue reading as we have already prepared a list of must – visit reasons for you.

Image Source

Dvikuta Vimala: The temple is known as a Dvikuta Vimala. In other words, the temple houses two main shrines – one dedicated to Hoysaleswara and the other to Shantaleswara which is named after his wife and the queen of King Vishnuvardhana, Shantala Devi. Other than these two main shrines, the Hoysaleshwara temple is also known to house a 7 feet tall image depicting the Sun god or Lord Surya and a majestic sculpture of Nandi (Lord Shiva’s vehicle or attendant).
Stunning Artwork: When it comes to designing and decoration, the Hoysaleshwara temple is a true masterpiece. Shilpkar Kedoraja has done a great job of adorning all of the temple walls with beautiful artwork. One can find the elaborate outer walls of the temple proudly displaying the stories of various Gods and multiple instances from epics like Mahabharata as well as Ramayana. There are also many beautiful sculptures engraved on the walls that glorify the brave Hoysala soldiers.
An Architectural Marvel: You may be a bit surprised to know but the architecture of this regal temple is often regarded as the perfect example of the Hoyasala architecture style. It has also been acclaimed as the ‘Supreme climax of Indian architecture’ often. Built upon a star – shaped platform, there are small shrines towards the temple doors and each one is adorned with stone friezes depicting elephants, horses and lions. The temple stands on a raised platform and is made up of Soapstone or Chloritic schist.
Archaeological Museum: On the temple complex, you can find an open archaeological museum that displays a plethora of ancient structures, wood carved idols, coins, inscriptions and a lot more. The museum is open on all days except Friday from 10 AM till 5 PM. Many devotees or travellers who visit the temple often frequent this informative museum.

The Hoysaleshwara Temple Timings

Topping the list of popular tourist places to visit in Karnataka, the Hoysaleshwara temple is open for its visitors on all days. The visiting hours of the temple are as follows:

Monday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Tuesday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Wednesday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Thursday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Friday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Saturday 6.30 AM till 9 PM
Sunday 6.30 AM till 9 PM

What Is The Best Way To Reach The Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid?

This top tourist place to visit in Karnataka is well accessible by most of the means of transports. You can easily reach it by:

By Air: The nearest airports to reach the Hoysaleshwara temple are located in Bangalore and Mysore. Both of these airports connect the temple to almost all of the major cities of the country. From the airport, one can take a cab or hire a taxi to reach the temple.
By Rail: The nearest railway stations to reach the Hoysaleshwara temple are located in Bangalore and Mysore. There are a number of trains running from Hassan to Mysore and Bangalore. From the station, you can take a taxi or hire a cab to reach the temple.
By Road: The Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid is well accessible and easily reachable by buses from almost all of the major cities and towns in Karnataka. Regular bus service is easily available from Hassan from 5.30 AM. You can go by hired taxis or personal vehicles as well.

Best Time To Visit The Hoysaleshwara Temple

Though one can visit the Hoysaleshwara Temple in Halebid all-round the year but the best time to visit is in between the months of November and March. During this time the weather is pleasant enough for sightseeing.

Best Time To Visit The Hoysaleshwara Temple
Image Source

Where To Stay Near The Hoysaleshwara Temple?

There are several good accommodation options available near the Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebid. Some of the hotels that you can consider are- Karnataka Hotels Halebid (about 0.04 km away) and Hotel Mayura Shantala Halebid (about 0.10 km away).

What Are The Different Places To See Near The Hoysaleshwara Temple?

Since there are a couple of interesting attractions located near this top tourist place to visit in Karnataka, you can add some of them to your trip to make it more memorable. Some of them are:

Yagachi Dam: Located closely to the Hoysaleshwara temple, Yagachi dam is not just popular for its structure but also for the plethora of water sports that it organises including jet ski, cruise boat, kayaking, speed boat, etc.
Kedareswara temple: This is also a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in Chalukyan architecture style, this temple is another attraction located near Hoysaleshwara temple.

Image Source