Hoyasala: Art and Architecture | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

The Hoysala Era (1026 CE – 1343 CE)

Temple Architecture:

• The Hoysala dynasty, known for its significant contributions to temple architecture, ruled over southern Karnataka from its capital at Dwarasamudra(modern Halebid).
• This period marked a continuation and maturation of temple architectural patterns established under the Chalukyas of Kalyani.
• The Karnata Dravidian tradition, developed in the 7th century under the Badami Chalukyas, reached its peak under the Western Chalukyas (Kalyani Chalukyas) in the 11th century.
• During the 13th century, the Chalukya style was refined into a distinct style under Hoysala rule.
• Remains of temples from this period can be found at Halebid, Belur, and Somnathpur.

Features of Hoysala Temples

• Hoysala temples typically feature one or more shrines, classified as:
• Ekakuta: One shrine.
• Dvikuta: Two shrines.
• Trikuta: Three garbhagrihas (shrines).

Garbha Griha:

• The garbha griha, or sanctum sanctorum, is a cuboid cell that houses a centrally placed murti (enshrined icon) on a pitha (pedestal).

Shikhara:

• The shikhara, or superstructure, rises over the garbha griha, forming part of the vimana (or mulaprasada) of the temple.
• They are generally not very tall and may represent a hybrid of Nagara and Dravida styles or be pyramidal in shape.

Amalaka:

• A ribbed stone amalaka is placed atop the shikhara, usually with a kalash (pot) at its finial.

Antarala:

• The antarala, or vestibule, serves as an intermediate space between the garbha griha and an expansive pillared mandapa (porch) in front, typically facing east or north.

Mandap:

• Hoysala temples feature both open (outer mantapa) and closed (inner mantapa) mantapas.
• The ceilings of the mantapas are often highly ornate, adorned with mythological figures and floral designs.

Pillars:

• The mantapas are characterized by circular pillars, each topped with four brackets bearing sculpted figures.

Gopuram:

• Temples may have entrances with large gopurams (ornate entrance towers) above each doorway.

Minor Shrines:

• Within the prakaram (temple courtyard), several minor shrines and outbuildings are often present.

Vimanas:

• The vimanas can be stellate, semi-stellate, or orthogonal in plan.
• While the interiors of vimanas are typically plain, the exteriors are elaborately decorated.
• A unique feature is the emphasis on horizontality, evident in the lines and mouldings.

Base and Capital of Pillars:

• The bases and capitals of pillars are distinguished by beautiful mouldings.

Banded Plinths:

• The intricately carved banded plinths are a hallmark of Hoysala temples, consisting of horizontal courses with narrow recesses between them.

Platform or Jagati:

• Temples are often built on a raised platform or jagati, used for pradakshinapatha(circumambulation), creating a broad flat surface around the temple.

Materials and Carvings:

• The temples are renowned for their fine, delicate, and detailed carvings executed on smooth chlorite schist on walls and ceilings.
• The use of soapstone, which allows for fine detailing and clarity, is a notable characteristic of Hoysala temple architecture.
• This greenish or blackish chloritic schist, also known as cleaning soap-stone, was easily quarried and carved into sculptures.
• The stone became very hard with exposure to sunlight.
• While most temples were constructed of this stone, some, like the Hoysala temples at Tonnur, were built of granite.
• In the Tamil Nadu region, Hoysala temples were often built of granite, possibly due to local craftsmanship and the availability of granite.

Iconography and Sculptures:

• The walls of Hoysala temples are richly decorated with scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas, depicted in a sequential manner.
• In addition to mythical representations, walls are adorned with panels of musicians, dancers, and animals.
• Salabhanjika, a mythical female figure, is a distinctive feature of Hoysala sculpture, often seen near trees or branches.
• These figures, sometimes engaged in artistic activities like music and dance, are placed in the brackets atop pillars.
• Jalandhras, or pierced stone monitors, are another notable feature, allowing light and air into the temple interior. These windows are often decorative and sculptural.
• Erotic sculptures, influenced by the prevailing shakta tradition, can also be found in some Hoysala temples.

Hoysaleshvara Temple

The Hoysaleshvara Temple, dating back to the 12th century, stands as the most impressive shrine in Halebid. It was primarily built under the patronage of affluent local merchants and aristocrats.

• The temple features two separate shrines(dvikuta) with a cruciform plan, resting on star-shaped plinths.
• The shrines are nearly identical, connected by a covered passage.
• Constructed from grey soapstone, ideal for intricate carving, each shrine has a star-shaped vimana with projections on three sides.
• The inner arms link the two shrines, and there are four entrances with miniature vimanas on either side.
• Adjacent shrines for Nandi (bull) and Surya (sun) are also part of the complex.
• Both shrines are preceded by a Nandi pavilion, featuring elaborately carved sculptures of Nandi bulls.
• Though the shikharas of the two temples are missing, the mandapa ceilings and pillars are intricately carved.
• The base is adorned with running lengths of carved friezes depicting tigers, elephants, horses, birds, and celestial beings.
• The ceilings, interior, and exterior walls are embellished with beautiful sculptures.
• The friezes on the temple walls depict stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana.

Chenna Keshava Temple at Belur:

• The Keshava Temple at Belur comprises a complex of shrines within a large courtyard.
• This is an ekakuta temple, featuring one main shrine.
• The main shrine was constructed in the early 12th century by Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Dynasty to commemorate a victory over the Cholas at Talkad.
• Dedicated to the deity Chenna Kesava, the temple houses a 2-meter-high idol of Chenna Kesava in the sanctum sanctorum.
• Surrounded by a covered passage and a compound with a gopura entrance, the temple stands in a spacious courtyard.
• Later, additional small temples were built around the main temple within the courtyard.
• The entire complex is set on a wide, raised star-shaped terrace, allowing for circumambulation.
• The star-shaped base is adorned with elephants in various poses.
• The pillared mandapa is cruciform in plan, resting on a plinth of the same shape, and has an east-west orientation set on a jagati.
• Intricate carvings on the outer and inner walls, pillars, screens, and bracket figures are renowned for their finesse.
• The basement of the vimana is profusely carved with narrative friezes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana.
• Walls are covered with sculptures of miniature shrines, animated female figures, and animals.
• Main entrances feature flights of steps from the courtyard, flanked by two small vimanas.
• The ceiling and pillars inside are elegantly carved.
• The superstructure on the main vimana is missing, and the shikhara of the shrine is no longer extant.

Keshava Temple at Somnathpur:

• The 13th-century Keshava Temple at Somnathpur exemplifies the peak of Hoysala temple architecture and sculpture.
• Its plan is more complex than earlier temples, featuring a triple shrine with star-shaped projections on three sides.
• The plinth shape intricately follows the outline of the shrine.
• The shikhara is of moderate height, positioned stylistically between Nagara and Dravida temple towers.
• Walls and ceilings are richly carved, similar to other Hoysala temples, with the inclusion of erotic themes.
• The three images housed in the shrines are Keshava(the main image),Krishna as Venugopala(playing the flute), and Janardhana Vishnu.

Kedareshwara Temple of Halebidu:

• This Shaiva trikuta(temple with three shrines) is located near Hoysaleshwara and was built under the patronage of King Veer Ballala II and Queen Ketala Devi.
• Designed with a stellate plan, the central shrine connects to the laterally positioned shrines through a common mandapa.
• The sculptural details feature beautifully executed figures such as Bhairava, Vishnu as Bharadwaj, and Kaliyadamana, among others.

Kalyani Tank, Hulikere:

• Located in the suburb of Halebidu in present-day Hulikere, this splendidly decorated tank was constructed for a Shaiva temple during the reign of emperor Narasimha I(1152 CE – 1173 CE).
• Ironically, no trace of the temple remains today, but the tank still survives.
• This stepped pond is adorned with 27 miniature shrines, some even featuring a superstructure atop.

Jain Temples in Bastihalli:

• Located further south from Kedareshwara in Bastihalli, this group of three Jain temples is dedicated to Jain tirthankars Adinath, Parsvanath, and Shantinatha.
• Each temple enshrines an image of the respective tirthankar in their garbha griha.
• The Parsvanath Basti was built in 1133 CE by King Vishnuvardhan to celebrate the birth of his son,Narasimha I.
• Aligned along the north-south axis, these structures faithfully adhere to the general architectural pattern of the Hoysalas.
• Of these, the Adinath Basti, built in the late 12th century CE, is the smallest and features a beautifully decorated image of Saraswati inside its vestibule.

Sculpture

• Hoysala artists are renowned for their intricate sculptural details, whether depicting scenes from Hindu epics, mythical creatures like Yali, deities, Kirthimukha (gargoyles), erotic themes, or everyday life. They worked primarily with soft soapstone, which allowed for a high level of carving precision. Every detail, down to fingernails and toenails, was crafted with meticulous care. Kirthimukhas often adorn the towers of vimana in various temples, and some artists even left their signatures on the sculptures they created.
• The sthamba buttalikas, or pillar images, show traces of Chola art blended with Chalukyan elements. Some artists working for the Hoysalas may have originated from Chola territory, reflecting the empire’s expansion into Tamil-speaking regions of Southern India. For instance, the image of Mohini on a pillar in the mantapa (closed hall) of the Chennakeshava temple exemplifies Chola artistic influence.
• Wall panels commonly depict scenes from daily life, such as reining horses, types of stirrups, dancers, musicians, and rows of animals like lions and elephants. The Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebidu is particularly noted for its detailed representations of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics in temple art.
• When dealing with erotic themes, Hoysala artists approached the subject with discretion. Instead of making these themes overt, they carved them into recesses and niches, often in miniature forms, making them less conspicuous. These erotic representations are associated with Shakta practices.
• The temple doorways feature heavily engraved ornamentation known as Makaratorana, depicting imaginary beasts, with sculptured Salabanjika maidens on either side. In addition to these sculptures, entire sequences from the Hindu epics, particularly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, are sculpted in a clockwise direction starting from the main entrance.

Common mythological depictions include:

• Arjuna, the epic hero, shooting a fish.
• Ganesha, the elephant-headed God.
• Surya, the Sun God.
• Indra, the god of weather and war.
• Brahma, accompanied by Sarasvati.
• Durga, depicted with multiple arms wielding weapons and in the act of slaying a water buffalo demon.
• Harihara, a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu, holding a conch, wheel, and trident.