Halebid Temples

Halebid literally means 'ruined city'. The city earns this name because it was ruined twice by Bahmani Sultanate. Halebid flourished as a capital city of the Hoysala empire during the 12th and 13th centuries. The temples in the city complex are adorned with beautiful sculptures. Wall of Halebid displays antique carves of sagas, birds, animals and Hindu God and Goddesses.

Hoysaleshwara Temple
Dedicated to Shantaleshwara and Hoysaleshwara, the temple is a Dvikuta, which means temple with two Vimana. Two beautifully carved Nandi Mantapas are built in front of the temple. The temple has four entrances. On the northern side one can find exquisite carvings of Dwarapalakas of Lord Shiva, richly beautified with ornaments and weapons. Impressive carving of Makara (a mystical animal composed of elephant, peacock, pig, lion and crocodile) adorns the top of the entrance. The northern entrance is decorated with small images of musicians, courtesans, drummers etc.

The main hall houses a huge idol of Lord Shiva in the form of Linga. It is richly ornamented with precious jewels. As you head out of the south entrance of the temple, one can catch a glimpse of numerous images of Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu Avtar, Lakshmi, Parvati, Brahma and Saraswati. Along with images running above the railings, details of Bhagavatha, Ramayana and Mahabharatha are beautifully carved.

Hotels in Halebid
Hassan is the most convenient base to reach Halebid. The hotels in Halebid includes Tourist cottages of Department of tourism, Karnataka tourism's Maurya Santhala, Halebid and Traveller's Bunglow of PWD. Visitors can make a comfortable at the luxury and deluxe hotels scattered in Hassan. Book your stay with some popular hotels of the town like Hotel Hassan Hotel, Hotel Southern Star, Hoysala Village Resort and Hotel Suvarna Regancy.

How to Reach
Air
The nearest airport is Bangalore, around 226 km away from Halebid

Rail
Hassan is the nearest railhead, at a distance of 32 km

Road
Halebid (Halebid) is well connected by good network of road with Belur, Shravanbegola, Mysore and Bangalore.