Halebid, was called Dwarasamudra, and it used to be the capital of the Hoysala Kings during the 12th Century.

Halebid's temple is one of the finest examples of the Hoysala style of architecture. It is made of soap stone, is a homogeneous structure that stands on a star shaped platform, and has beautiful carvings on the inside as well as the outside of the temple. This temple has four doors, and is unique because it has two Garbha Grahas or Sanctum Sanctorum. In both these sanctums are large Shiva lingas. For each of these Shiva Lingas, there is a Nandi idol in the front, facing the diety. These Nandi idols also have their temple, called Nandi Mandaps, smaller but equally beautiful.

Behind the Nandi Mandap is the Surya temple, the Surya idol is over 2 metres tall, and is beautiful.

The exteriors of these temples are beautiful, decorated with panels of warriors, dancers, horses, elephants, mythical creatures. There are beautiful apsaras, and there are several sculptures of hindu deities, and scenes from Mahabharat, Ramayan and Bhagavat Gita. The sculptures here are larger than the ones you will find at Belur, and are carved on both sides of the stone.

There are other temples in Halebid, They are Kedareshwara temple, Trikuta Temple, Hoysaleswara Temple, Sri Ranganath Temple and the Jain Mandir.

How to get there:
160 kms from Mysore & 40 kms from Hassan by Road
Nearest airport is Bangalore
Nearest Railway Station is Hassan