2. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION
• Hoysala architectureHoysala architecture is the building style developed underis the building style developed under
the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14ththe rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th
centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka.centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka.
• Hoysala influence was at its peak in the 13th centuryHoysala influence was at its peak in the 13th century,,
when it dominated the Southern Deccan Plateau region.when it dominated the Southern Deccan Plateau region.
• Large and small temples built during this era remain asLarge and small temples built during this era remain as
examples of the Hoysala architectural style, including theexamples of the Hoysala architectural style, including the
Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara TempleChennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple
at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.
• Study of the Hoysala architectural style has revealed aStudy of the Hoysala architectural style has revealed a
negligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact ofnegligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact of
Southern Indian style is more distinct.Southern Indian style is more distinct.
• Some three hundred temples are known to survive inSome three hundred temples are known to survive in
present-day Karnataka state and many more arepresent-day Karnataka state and many more are
mentioned in inscriptions, though only about seventy havementioned in inscriptions, though only about seventy have
been documented.been documented.
6. Chennakeshava Temple,Chennakeshava Temple,
BelurBelur
• The Chennakeshava Temple, originally calledThe Chennakeshava Temple, originally called
Vijayanarayana Temple, was built on the banks of theVijayanarayana Temple, was built on the banks of the
Yagachi River in Belur, by the Hoysala Empire KingYagachi River in Belur, by the Hoysala Empire King
Vishnuvardhana.Vishnuvardhana.
• Belur, which was an early Hoysala capital, is in theBelur, which was an early Hoysala capital, is in the
Hassan district of Karnataka state, India.Hassan district of Karnataka state, India.
• It is 40 km from Hassan city and 220 km from Bangalore.It is 40 km from Hassan city and 220 km from Bangalore.
• Belur is well known for its marvelous temples built duringBelur is well known for its marvelous temples built during
the rule of the Hoysala dynasty, making it and nearbythe rule of the Hoysala dynasty, making it and nearby
Halebidu favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state.Halebidu favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state.
• These temple complexes have been proposed to be listedThese temple complexes have been proposed to be listed
underunder UNESCO World Heritage SitesUNESCO World Heritage Sites.
8. HistoryHistory
• The temple was commissioned by King VishnuvardhanaThe temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana
in 1117 AD.in 1117 AD.
Shrine outer wall with friezes on vertical sections below evesShrine outer wall with friezes on vertical sections below eves
in Chennakeshava temple at Belur.in Chennakeshava temple at Belur.
9. Temple ComplexTemple Complex
• TheThe main entrance to the complex is crowned by a Rajagopuramain entrance to the complex is crowned by a Rajagopura
(superstructure over entrance)(superstructure over entrance) built during the days of thebuilt during the days of the
Vijayanagar empire.Vijayanagar empire.
• Within the complex, the Chennakesava temple is at the centre,Within the complex, the Chennakesava temple is at the centre,
facing east, and is flanked by the Kappe Channigraya temple on itsfacing east, and is flanked by the Kappe Channigraya temple on its
right, and a small Sowmyanayaki (form of the goddess Lakshmi)right, and a small Sowmyanayaki (form of the goddess Lakshmi)
temple set slightly back.temple set slightly back.
• Two main sthambha (pillar) exist here. The pillar facing the mainTwo main sthambha (pillar) exist here. The pillar facing the main
temple, thetemple, the Garuda (eagle) sthambhaGaruda (eagle) sthambha was erected in thewas erected in the
Vijayanagar period while the pillar on the right, the DeepaVijayanagar period while the pillar on the right, the Deepa
sthambha (pillar with lamp) dates frsthambha (pillar with lamp) dates from the Hoysala period.om the Hoysala period.
• This is theThis is the first great Hoysala templefirst great Hoysala temple, though according to the art, though according to the art
critic and historian Settar, the artistic idiom and signature is stillcritic and historian Settar, the artistic idiom and signature is still
Western Chalukyan. Hence, the over-decoration which is seen inWestern Chalukyan. Hence, the over-decoration which is seen in
later Hoysala temples (including the Hoysaleswara temple atlater Hoysala temples (including the Hoysaleswara temple at
Halebidu and the Keshava temple at Somanathapura) is not visibleHalebidu and the Keshava temple at Somanathapura) is not visible
here.here.
10. • The Chennakesava temple has three entrances and their doorwaysThe Chennakesava temple has three entrances and their doorways
have decorated sculptures called dvarapalaka (doorkeepers) onhave decorated sculptures called dvarapalaka (doorkeepers) on
either side.either side.
• While the Kappe Channigraya temple is smaller than theWhile the Kappe Channigraya temple is smaller than the
Chennakesava temple, it is architecturally significant, though itChennakesava temple, it is architecturally significant, though it
lacks any sculptural features.lacks any sculptural features.
Entrance at Chennakesava temple.Entrance at Chennakesava temple.
Rajagopura (superstructureRajagopura (superstructure
over entrance)over entrance)
12. Small Shrines at ChennakesavaSmall Shrines at Chennakesava
TempleTemple
The Ranganayaki templeThe Ranganayaki temple The SoumyanayakiThe Soumyanayaki
templetemple
Kappe Chennigaraya templeKappe Chennigaraya temple Compact and ornateCompact and ornate
13. TempleTemple
PlanPlan• The building material used in the Chennakesava temple is chloriticThe building material used in the Chennakesava temple is chloritic
schist, more commonly known as soapstone or potstone,and isschist, more commonly known as soapstone or potstone,and is
essentially a simple Hoysala plan built with extraordinary detail.essentially a simple Hoysala plan built with extraordinary detail.
• What differentiates this temple from other Hoysala temples of theWhat differentiates this temple from other Hoysala temples of the
same plan is the unusually large size of the basic parts of thesame plan is the unusually large size of the basic parts of the
temple.temple.
• The temple is a ekakuta vimana design (single shrine) of 10.5 m byThe temple is a ekakuta vimana design (single shrine) of 10.5 m by
10.5 m size.10.5 m size.
• A large vestibule connects the shrine to the mandapa (hall) whichA large vestibule connects the shrine to the mandapa (hall) which
is one of the main attractions of the temple. The mandapa has 60is one of the main attractions of the temple. The mandapa has 60
"bays"."bays".
• The superstructure (tower or Shikhara) on top of the vimana hasThe superstructure (tower or Shikhara) on top of the vimana has
been lost over time.been lost over time.
• The temple is built on a jagati (platform for circumabulation).ThereThe temple is built on a jagati (platform for circumabulation).There
is one flight of steps leading to the jagati and another flight of stepsis one flight of steps leading to the jagati and another flight of steps
14. • The mantapa here was originally an open one. A visitor would haveThe mantapa here was originally an open one. A visitor would have
been able to see the ornate pillars of the open mantapa from thebeen able to see the ornate pillars of the open mantapa from the
platform.platform.
• The open mantapa was converted into a closed one after about fiftyThe open mantapa was converted into a closed one after about fifty
years, during the Hoysala rule.years, during the Hoysala rule.
BEFOREBEFORE
OpenOpen
MantapaMantapa
AFTERAFTER
ClosedClosed
MantapaMantapa
15.
16. PillarsPillars
• The pillars inside the hall are an attraction and theThe pillars inside the hall are an attraction and the mostmost
popular one is the Narasimha pillar.popular one is the Narasimha pillar.
• According to the historian Kamath, there is a richAccording to the historian Kamath, there is a rich
diversity about the pillar styles here.diversity about the pillar styles here.
• WhileWhile all the forty eight pillars are uniqueall the forty eight pillars are unique and the manyand the many
ceiling sections are well decorated, nothing surpasses theceiling sections are well decorated, nothing surpasses the
finish of the four central pillars and the ceiling theyfinish of the four central pillars and the ceiling they
support.support.
• These pillars may have beenThese pillars may have been hand chiseledhand chiseled while thewhile the
others were lathe turned.All of theseothers were lathe turned.All of these four pillars bearfour pillars bear
madanikas.madanikas.
• There are 42 of them in the temple complex, one each onThere are 42 of them in the temple complex, one each on
the four central pillars inside the hall and the remainingthe four central pillars inside the hall and the remaining
38 are outside, between the eaves on the outer walls of38 are outside, between the eaves on the outer walls of
the hall.They arethe hall.They are also called shilabalika and representalso called shilabalika and represent
the ideal female form.the ideal female form.
18. Ornate lathe turned pillars in mantapa,Ornate lathe turned pillars in mantapa,
a standard Hoysala idioma standard Hoysala idiom
19. Shilabalika in the Chennakesava temple atShilabalika in the Chennakesava temple at
Belur.Belur.
20. SculpturesSculptures
• Interesting sculptures inside the mantapa areInteresting sculptures inside the mantapa are Sthamba buttalikaSthamba buttalika
(pillar with an image in frieze) which is more in the Chola style(pillar with an image in frieze) which is more in the Chola style
indicating that the Hoysalas may have employed Chola craftsmanindicating that the Hoysalas may have employed Chola craftsman
along with locals.along with locals.
• At the base of the outer walls are friezes of charging elephantsAt the base of the outer walls are friezes of charging elephants
which symbolize stability and strength, above which are lions whichwhich symbolize stability and strength, above which are lions which
symbolize courage, and further up are horses which symbolizesymbolize courage, and further up are horses which symbolize
speed. Above the horses are panels with floral designs signifyingspeed. Above the horses are panels with floral designs signifying
beauty above which are sculptures with depictions from the Hindubeauty above which are sculptures with depictions from the Hindu
epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
• According to Kamath, this style of articulation is called horizontalAccording to Kamath, this style of articulation is called horizontal
treatment with friezes.treatment with friezes.
• The sculptural style of the wall images bearThe sculptural style of the wall images bear similarities withsimilarities with wallwall
sculptures in contemporary temples of nsculptures in contemporary temples of northern Karnataka andorthern Karnataka and
adjacent Maharashtra.adjacent Maharashtra.
21. Famous Sculptures atFamous Sculptures at
Chennakesava temple,Chennakesava temple,
BelurBelur
NarasimhaNarasimha GajasursamharGajasursamhar
24. More to see...More to see...
Ornate doorjamb, lintel and guardians (Jaya and Vijaya) of theOrnate doorjamb, lintel and guardians (Jaya and Vijaya) of the
shrine of the Hindu god Vishnu in Chennakeshava temple at Belurshrine of the Hindu god Vishnu in Chennakeshava temple at Belur
25. Miniature shrinesMiniature shrines
with Bhumija stylewith Bhumija style
superstructure atsuperstructure at
entrance toentrance to
ChennakeshavaChennakeshava
temple at Belurtemple at Belur
26. Decorative panel comprising miniature towersDecorative panel comprising miniature towers
(aedicule) and Hindu deities in relief below eves at(aedicule) and Hindu deities in relief below eves at
Chennakeshava temple, BelurChennakeshava temple, Belur
27. Decorative frieze on moldings at ChennakeshavaDecorative frieze on moldings at Chennakeshava
temple. Belur.temple. Belur.
