Hoysala School of Architecture

  • Developed under Hoysala rulers in the Karnataka region in areas of Belur, Halebidu and Sringeri.
  • Basic Features
    • Multiple shrines were built around a central pillared hall. 
    • The shrines were laid out in the shape of an intricately designed star. This was known as the Stellate Plan.
    • Soft soap stones were used as the main building material. 
    • Massive emphasis was laid on the decoration of the temple through sculptures. 
    • All the chambers had Shikharas which were interconnected by an arrangement of horizontal lines and mouldings.
    • The temples were built on an upraised platform known as Jagati.
    • The walls and stairs of the temple followed a zigzag pattern. 
  • For Example – Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and Chennakesava Temple at Belur.
Chennakesava Temple

  • Location: Belur, Karnataka
  • Other Name: Also referred to as Kesava or Vijayanarayana Temple.
  • Commissioned: It was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala empire in 1117 CE.
  • Associated River: Yagachi River
  • Deity: It is dedicated to Vishnu.
  • Architecture: It is referred to as an amalgamation between the Dravidian and Indo-Aryan forms.
  • Protection: It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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