Temple Architecture

In India, two broad orders of temple architecture are found, the one in North India, called the Nagara style and the other in South India, called the Dravida style. At times, selective mixing of the Nagara and Dravida orders is done to create an independent style called, the Hybrid or Vesara style. The Hoysala dynasty of Karnataka that ruled from 11th to 14th centuries AD, frequently constructed hundreds of temples in Vesara style at Halebidu, Belur, Somnathpuram and other areas of southern Deccan.
Hoysala dynasty forms distinct phase of temple architecture in India:

• Two kinds of unique syncretism:
  • Integration of Nagara and Dravidian style of temple architecture.
  • Overt recognition of plurality of religion. For instance, the Halebidu temples, constructed during the reign of Vishnuvardhana in early 12th century, include Hoysaleswara Temple dedicated to Shiva, as well as three large Jain Basadis.
• Architectural design:
  • At a time when temples were rectangular based on ancient treatises, the Hoysala temples were unique in their star-shaped/stellate plans, complex forms, and raised platforms.
  • Characteristic architectural elements such as the lathe-turned stone pillars, the curved and corbelled vimana or towers over the shrines, and the bell-shaped cornices/chhajja are significant innovations in the development of temple architecture. Further, Kalyani or stepped wells are also commonly found.
  • The towns were planned on a cosmic diagram with main axes in the cardinal directions and the main temple at the center of town at the intersection of the axes. The temple complex had rathabeedi or wide streets for processions and circumambulation of the deities on enormous chariots.
• Use of soap-stone: Instead of granite, Hoysalas used a special kind of stone popularly called the soap-stone (chlorite schist). This locally found stone is effortlessly malleable and ductile at the time of quarrying, but turns harder in air. Therefore, an abundance of adorned figure sculpture, highly decorative reliefs and friezes are found in almost all the Hoysala temples.
  • For instance, in the Chennakesava temple, Belur there are 38 wonderfully sculpted bracket figures called salabhanjika or madanika.
• Multiple Garbhagriha: The Hoysala temples may be divided into five types depending on the number of garbhagrihas they possess including Ekakuta (one sanctum, e.g., Channakesava temple), Dvikuta (2 sanctums e.g., Hoysaleshwara temple), Trikuta (3 Sanctums e.g., Kesava Temple, Somanathapura by Narsimha III), Chatushkuta (4 sanctums e.g., Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli) and Panchkuta (5 sanctums).

The Hoysala temple architecture mastered not only the intricate decorative carving but also the integrity and composition of the structure. Because of their uniqueness, the sacred ensembles of Hoysala at Halebidu and Belur have been given the status of World Heritage Site under UNESCO.