Halebidu, Ancient temple town in Hassan district, India
Halebidu is an ancient temple town in the Hassan district of Karnataka, showcasing some of the most refined stonework of the Hoysala period. The main temples rise on an elevated platform and draw visitors with their densely worked walls depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
The town was the capital of the Hoysala Empire under the name Dwarasamudra and flourished from the 12th to the early 14th century. Invasions from Delhi ended its power and transformed the once wealthy capital into ruins that later took the name Halebidu.
The name Halebidu means
Morning light offers favorable conditions for viewing the reliefs, while midday heat can often become uncomfortable. Regular bus connections from Hassan reach the site in about an hour, and visitors should bring comfortable shoes for exploring the expansive temple grounds.
Two identical temple structures stand on a shared platform and are connected through internal passages, with their completion taking about eight decades. The stonemasons used chloritic schist, a soft material that allowed fine details but darkened over the centuries.
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