Mandya?s Hoysala Legacy

Mandya’s Hoysala Legacy

News: The temples in the largely agrarian region of Mandya (Karnataka) belonging to the period of the Hoysalas, have failed to grab as much attention as they deserve.

About Hoysala empire:
• The Hoysala empire was a prominent South Indian empire that ruled most of the modern day state of Karnataka between the 10th and the 14th centuries.
• The capital of the empire initially resided at Belur, later moving to Halebidu.
• The Hoysala empire emerged as a regional power in the 12th century, taking advantage of the decline of the Western Chalukya empire and the Kalachuri dynasty.
• By the 13th century, they governed most of Karnataka, entire northwestern parts of Tamil Nadu and parts of western Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

What is Hoysala empire remembered for?
• It is remembered for its contributions to South Indian art, architecture, and literature.
• Some of the famous Hoysala temples are Chennakeshava Temple at Belur, Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and Chennakeshava Temple at Somanathapura.
• Hoysala literature contributed to the development of Kannada and Sanskrit languages and enriched the cultural heritage of South India

What are some features of Hoysala architecture?
• The temples were built on Star-shaped platform or Jagati.
• Most of the temples follow the ekakuta, dvikuta or trikuta pattern – temples with a single, double or three garbhagrihas or sanctum sanctorum.
• The temples are made of soapstone or chloritic schist.
• They were dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Jain tirthankaras.

What are the important temples located in Mandya district?
• Panchalingeshwara temple, Lakshminarayana temple, Brahmeshwara temple and Saumyakeshava temple.
Source – The Hindu