Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
but nonetheless stands today as a masterpiece of Hoysala architecture. The interior of its
inner sanctum, chiselled out of black stone, is marvellous. On the outside, the temple's
richly sculpted walls are covered with a flurry of Hindu deities, sages, stylised animals
and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala rulers. Two statues of Nandi (Shiva's bull) sit
to the left of the main temple, facing the inner sanctum. Guides are available to show you
around for ?250.
The temple is set in large, well-tended gardens, adjacent to which is a small
museum
(ad-
mission ?5; 9am-5pm Sat-Thu)
with a collection of beautiful sculptures from around Halebid.
Take some time out to visit the nearby, smaller
Kedareswara Temple
, or a little-visited en-
closure containing three
Jain
temples about 500m away, which also have fine carvings.
Hotel Mayura Shanthala
( 273224; d ?850)
, set around a leafy garden opposite the temple
complex, is the best sleeping option.
Regular buses depart for Hassan (?34, one hour), 33km away.
