About the place
Halebeedu (formerly known as Dwarasamudra) was the ancient capital of the Hoysalas just 17 km away from Belur. The Hoysala dynasty ruled over much of South India for close to 200 years and during this time they built spectacular temples; both Hindu as well as Jain. Halebeedu means “old house/ old ruins“.
History & Architecture
Hoysala dynasty during their tenure built some spectacular temples. The armies of Alauddin Khilji and Mohd Tughlak attacked and defeated Hoysalas in the 14th century and destroyed most of their wealth. The stupendous architecture and building of the temple survived the devastation. Hence the name Halebeedu was given to the temple.
The Hoysaleshwar Temple is one of the largest Shiva temples in the country. The intricate carvings and exquisite craftsmanship depicting the stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Bhagwat Gita mesmerize the travellers and pilgrims. The exterior and interior walls of the temple are carved to perfection with Hindu deities, sages, animals, and birds.
The base of the temple consists of 8 rows carved with elephants, lions, horses, and floral scrolls, and then started stories from mythology. Not to miss the huge Nandi, this is always a part of any Shiva temple.
How to reach
Halebeedu is a small town in Hassan district, just 30 km away from the district headquarters. Hassan can be best reached by rail and road. The nearest airport is Mangalore, about 70 km, and the Bangalore airport is about 210 km away. Hassan has a railway junction and is well-connected with major cities across India. The best way to reach Halebeedu is by road. Halebeedu is about 30 km away from the district headquarters. The state road transport buses ply from all the major cities and towns of Karnataka.
Temple Timings
The temple is open from 6.30 am to 9 pm on all days.
