Context: Notably, the Hoysala Temples of Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura in Karnataka that are now included in the UNESCO World Heritage list make them the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site of India.

About Hoysala Architecture

• Hoysala architecture is the building style developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, mostly concentrated in southern Karnataka.

• Hoysala temples are sometimes called hybrid or vesara as their unique style seems between Dravida and Nagara styles.

• The Hoysala temples contain multiple shrines grouped around a central pillared hall and laid out in the shape of an intricately-designed star.

• They are made out of soapstone which is a relatively soft stone.

• They are easily distinguishable from other medieval temples by their highly original star-like ground-plans and a profusion of decorative carvings.

Some of the famous temples are

1. Hoysaleshvara temple at Halebid, Karnataka that was built in dark schist stone by the Hoysala king in 1150

2. Chennakeshava temple in Somnathpura, Karnataka built around AD 1268 under Narasimha III

3. Kesava temple at Belur, Karnataka built by Vishnuvardhana.

Key Features of Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura temples 

Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebidu

• The Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu is the most exemplary architectural ensemble of the Hoysalas extant today.

• Built in 1121CE during the reign of the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara.

• The temple, dedicated to Shiva, was sponsored and built by wealthy citizens and merchants of Dorasamudra.

• The temple is most well-known for the more than 240 wall sculptures that run all along the outer wall.

• Halebid has a walled complex containing three Jaina basadi (temples) of the Hoysala period as well as a stepped well.

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

• Construction of the temple commenced in 1117 AD and took 103 years to complete.

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu known as Chennakesava, which means beautiful (chenna) Vishnu (Keshava).

• The richly sculptured exterior of the temple narrates scenes from the life of Vishnu and his reincarnations and the epics, Ramayana, and Mahabharata.

• However, some of the representations of Shiva are also included.

Keshava Temple, Somanathapura

• The Keshava temple at Somanathapura is another magnificent Hoysala monument, perhaps the last.

• This is a breathtakingly beautiful Trikuta Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in three forms – Janardhana, Keshava and Venugopala.

• Unfortunately, the main Keshava idol is missing, and the Janardhana and Venugopala idols are damaged.

About World Heritage Site

• Any of various areas or objects inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

• The sites are designated as having “outstanding universal value” under the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972.

• The World Heritage Centre is the Secretariat to the 1972 Convention.

• It provides a framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting cultural treasures and natural areas throughout the world.

• There are three types of sites: Cultural, Natural, and Mixed.

• Cultural heritage sites include hundreds of historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting. Example: Dholavira: a Harappan City.

• Natural heritage sites are restricted to those natural areas that have excellent ecological and evolutionary processes, unique natural phenomena, habitats of rare or endangered species etc. Example: Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area.

• Mixed heritage sites contain elements of both natural and cultural significance. Example: Khangchendzonga National Park.

• No. of World Heritage Sites in India: India has 42 world heritage sites, including 34 cultural properties, 7 natural properties and 1 mixed site.