Halebidu : Hey everyone! Thanks for coming back to the show. We are going to take you on an interesting trip to Halebidu, also called the “City of Ruins,” which is one of Karnataka’s most beautiful heritage places.
It was once the proud capital of the Hoysala Empire. Today, Halebidu is a live work of art that tells stories of love, art, and glory through its carvings.
A Look Back at History of Halebidu
Halebidu, which was first called Dwarasamudra, was built in the 1100s and was the royal capital of the Hoysalas. Halebidu is named after the fact that it was stolen from twice by people from Delhi in the 14th century. The word itself means “old city.”
The city still stands tall as a memory of the grandeur and love of art of the Hoysala dynasty, even though it has had a rough past.
Click here for Annapoorneshwari Temple .
Temple Building: A Symphony of Stone
The Hoysaleswara Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the main thing to see here. This temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. It is a beautiful example of Hoysala building, with star-shaped platforms, intricate carvings, and soapstone sculptures.
The temple is covered in beautiful art that tells stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana as well as scenes from everyday life.
The temple is made up of two shrines, one for Hoysaleswara and the other for Shantaleswara, who represent the king and his queen.
It looks like the stone has come to life because of how well the cuts are done. There are sculptures of gods, dancers, animals, and fighters that are all frozen in perfect divine form.
The Temple’s History
The story goes that King Vishnuvardhana built the temple to show how much he loved Lord Shiva after beating the Chola tribes.
The building was never fully finished because it was attacked so many times. Thousands of skilled workers spent decades making it. It is still one of the most beautiful churches in India, even though it is not finished yet.
Attractions Near By
- Belur is 17 km away and is known for the Chennakesava Temple, which is another beautiful piece of Hoysala art.
- The huge figure of Bahubali can be found in Shravanabelagola, which is 50 km away.
- The Yagachi Dam is a peaceful place near Belur where you can relax and go fishing.
- Hassan Town is famous for its local shops and real Karnataka food.
How to Get to Halebidu
- Bengaluru (Bangalore) is about 210 kilometers away from Halebidu.
This place can be reached by: - By car or taxi, it takes about 4.5 to 5 hours to drive along NH75.
- There is a train stop in Hassan, which is about 30 km away.
- Bus: From Bengaluru, you can take a KSRTC bus to Hassan and Halebidu.
