Halebidu ( a twelfth century Hoysala monument ), Karnataka, India - Photo gallery by Sundar Palaniappan
Hoysaleswara temple - Halebidu
Halebidu was the 12th century capital of Hoysala empire at is located 31 kms from Hassan town.
Halebidu was once known as Dora Samudra and was renamed as Hale-bidu or Dead city. During 1311 AD, forces of Delhi Sultanate under the command of Ala-ud-din-khalji seiged the town and reduced it to rubble.
Halebidu contains two Hindu temples the Hoysaleshawara and Kedareshwara temples and two Jain basati.
Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva and was built during Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana. The construction was completed during 1211 AD.
A group of Jain bastis are located some 600m south of Hoysaleshawara temple and are dedicated to 23rd Thirthankara Parshwanath and 16th Thirthankara Shanthinath.
To the east, there is a Hindu temple Kedareshwara ( constructed during 1217 - 1221 ) and is dedicated to lord Shiva.
Practicalities in reaching Halebidu
There are frequent KSRTC buses from Hassan.