Thread by @PatriGuru

Recently, I travelled to the historic cities of Halebidu and Belur, erstwhile capitals of Hoysala Empire (10-14th CE). Hoysalas annexed parts of Western Chalukyan Empire and established their kingdom. Later, King Vishnuvardhana defeated the Cholas at a battle in Talakadu.

The emblem of Hoysalas is a depiction of a Sala (a Jain Monk, here referring to Hoysalas) striking a tiger (referring to the Cholas). Though Hoysalas were initially Jains, they later became Hindus under the influence of Sage Ramanuja (Founder of Vishishtadvaitam).

Hoysalas built temples of Shiva and Vishnu with elaborate sculptures that match the intricacy in carvings with that of Kajuraho temples. Among the 92 odd temples that survive till date, the temples at Halebidu, Belur and Somanathpura are prominent.

The temples that I visited in Halebidu and Belur have their walls adorned with friezes and panels that depict episodes from Puranas, Itihasas (Mahabharatam and Ramayanam), Neethi Sastras, Kama Sutras and other Smrithis.

Episodes from Mahabharatam:
1. Abhimanyu entering Padmavyuham
2. Draupadi washing her hair with the blood of Dushyasana
3. Bhima killing war elephants and putting them in a heap, which touched the clouds
4. Arjuna aiming the eye of a fish by looking at its reflection in water.

Some episodes from Ramayanam:
1. Rama killing Vali by hiding behind trees. As the arrow travels, it leaves behind a mark.
2. Rama giving a ring to Hanuman as a memorabilia so that Sita can recognize him.

Episodes from various Puranas:
1. Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu
2. Varaha saving Bhudevi. Notice how the Varaha gada rips though demon Hiranyaksha
3. Bali grants gift to Vamana as Sukracharya warns. Notice how the donor, receiver and preventer are depicting in decreasing size

Other friezes:
1. Shiva involved in Gajasamhara. Notice the long nails of Shiva piercing through the elephant.
2. Krishna and Satyabhama stealing Parijatha flower from Indra's Nandana Vanam and flying away on Garuda. Indra and Indrani chase them on Airavatam with thunderbolt.

1. Ravana lifting Kailasa Parvatam
2. Uma Maheshwara on Nandi. Notice Shiva pacifying Nandi as he is not happy with ride sharing.

My favourite:
Durga as Mahishasuramardini.
1. A dog licks the blood dripping from beheaded Mahishasura
2. A demon licks the blood while the demon's baby sucks milk from the demon's breast.

Now, who is this man dressed in Western attire well before even Portuguese, British and French arrive in India?

1. Ashtadikpalakas surrounding Shiva.
2. Dvarapalakas at Hoysaleswara temple.

In adolescence, a man is even attracted towards a woman that looks like a donkey.

Hoysalas, along with several South Indian kingdoms were later defeated by Malik Kafur, commander general of the Delhi Sultan Allauddin Khilji. The superstructure of the temple was destroyed in the loot that accompanied. Hoysalas became loyal tributaries to Khiljis.

The ruined temples and the city were later abandoned. This is how the Dvarasamudra (old name) came to be known as Halebidu (meaning old land).

The sculptures are made of Soapstone quarried from the mines near Mysore. This stone is soft when taken out of the earth but becomes hard when exposed to air.

Hoysalas are followed by the Vijayanagara Empire with their capital in Hampi. They develop a new style of architecture in South India. Will tweet about Hampi when I visit 😃.

unroll