Snippets of Information
Architecture / Sculptures
* 15 Feb 2022
Chennakeshava temple of Belur, in the Hassan district of Karnataka
Chenakeshava Temple of Belur is a 12-century Hindu temple in the Hassan
district of Karnataka commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE and
it took over three generations - 103 years - to finish!
Source: fb: @wowclubindia
* 19 Oct 2021
Amruteshvara Temple, Amruthapura, Chickmagalur district, Karnataka
* 25 Sep 2021
The figure representing Sala attacking the tiger became the emblem of
the Hoysalas and can be seen in most of their temples. There are various
theories attributed to this symbol.
One theory is that the emblem was set as a tribute to the victory
of King Vishnuvardhana over the Cholas, who had the tiger as their
emblem. But the figure represented in the carving is that of a lion.
A second story is that when Sala was about to be attacked by a lion or
tiger, he acted on the advice of his teacher "Poy Sala", meaning "strike
Sala"and slayed the tiger with a single blow and this cry was used as
the name of the dynasty.
Source: karnataka.com
This is the image of Sala. By virtue of this heroic exploit he becomes
the leader of the tribe and gradually emerges as the king. More myths
were built around him. For example, he killed the lion, which was ready
to pounce on a meditating muni who in turn blessed him by giving him the
power to rule. Such myths legitimise dynastic rule. The Sala symbol was
Vishnuvardhana's creation and became the Hoysala symbol or crest, from
his time.
Source: Hoysala heritage by S. Settar (historian), frontline.thehindu.com, April 25, 2003
* 25 Sep 2021
The origin of Hoysala dynasty goes to a historical personality named
Sala. It is said that at Sosekapura - the present Angadi of Chikamaglur
district, a Jain ascetic, Vardhamana (Sudatta) was worshiping the
goddess Vasantika Devi. A tiger attacked him and he cried ‘Poy Sala’ or
hit Sala, and Sala acting under these instructions struck the tiger and
killed it. The sage was pleased and blessed him. Sala became a ruler
shortly.
The early rulers of Hoysala dynasty after Sala was Vinayaditya. He was a
subordinate of Chalukyan king, Vikramaditya-V. After him came Nripakama
- his son, next Vinayaditya-II. It was Vinayaditya-II who extended the
Hoysala territory and then changed the capital from Sosevur to
Dorasamudra or Halebidu. After Vinayaditya-II, it was his grandson
Ballala-I who came to power. He ruled only for eight years, and after
his death his younger brother Vishnuvardhana came to power. During his
reign (1108-1142 AD), he subjugated many dynasties. He defeated the
Cholas and put an end to the Chola domination in the south. He became an
independent monarch after he won against Chalukyan army.
Source: Hidden gems of Hoysala empire by oiop, oneindiaonepeople.com, 1 Oct 2019
The Hoysalas considered by historians as natives of the Malnad region in
Karnataka or the Yadavas from North India ruled a large part of modern
day Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from the 10th
to the 14th century.
Nripa Kama II is the first prominently recognised king of the Hoysala
dynasty. The most prominent king of this dynasty was
Vishnuvardhana Raya (originally named Bittideva. He took up the
name Vishnuvardhana after converting from Jainism to Vaishnavism under
the influence of Sri Ramanujacharya.) Vishnuvardhana's wife Shantala
Devi continued to follow Jainism.
Source: karnataka.com
* Jul 2021
Hoysala architectural style is considered an intermediate
between the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian traditions. The Hoysala rulers had
erected a number of shrines around Mysore between 1050 and 1300.
Some of the distinctive styles:
* The temples have a star shaped base with the main structure standing on a raised platform.
* There are three shrines structured around a central pillared hall, each with a tower.
* Pillars with horizontal mouldings, produced by a mechanical process.
* There are intricate grille windows, an abundance of sculptural details.
* The sikharas unlike the northern style (parabolic) are constructed in well defined horizontal tiers.
The temples are almost entirely covered with intricate sculptural
carvings. This was mainly possible, for the temples were constructed out
of a very fine grained soap stone (chloritic schist). It was much
easier to work on this stone unlike granite or sand stone & hence
carving intricate designs was very much possible on this soft stone. A
further great quality of the stone is its softness when first quarried
but turning very hard on exposure to air.
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