Explore The Last Surviving Temples Of This Incredible Empire

Karnataka is a culturally diverse and vibrant southern Indian state with a recorded history that dates back more than two millennia. The rich culture, history and development of this region can be mainly attributed to the patronage it received during the past reigns of great empires and dynasties. Architectural exuberance reached its zenith during the rule of the mighty Hoysalas, who built over 1,000 temples across different parts of Karnataka. These are some of the most stunning Hoysala temples still standing today.

1. Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

The Chennakeshava temple was built by the great Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana during the year 1117 CE. The temple is located on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, which was the early capital of the Hoysalas. The temple is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava – a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. This is the largest of the surviving temples, and the complex has been proposed for UNESCO World Heritage status.
Belur Chennakeshava Temple, Hassan District, Belur, Karnataka 573115, India

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur | © Abhinav Alva

2. Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu

The Hoysaleswara temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana almost during the same period as the Belur temple and is located in Halebidu, 20 km from Belur. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is also proposed to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a highly ornate temple, with amazingly detailed carvings displayed all around the outer walls, and is regarded as a masterpiece of southern Indian temple architecture.
Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebeedu, Karnataka 573121, India

Hoysaleshwara Temple, Halebidu | © Abhinav Alva

3. Hulikere Kalyani (Pond), Halebidu

This stunning stepped pool – also known as Hulikere Kalyani in the local Kannada language – is located at Hulikere, a small suburb 3 km from Halebidu. It was built in approximately 1160 CE, during the reign of Hoysala king Narasimha I. The highly ornate miniature shrines are believed to represent the nine planets and stellar constellations with reference to ancient Hindu astrology.

Hulikere Tank, Hulikere, Karnataka 573216, India

Kalyani, Hulikere | © Abhinav Alva

5. Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi

The Veera Narayana temple is a short distance from Belur and Halebidu and is located at Belavadi, a small village in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. The temple was commissioned in the year 1200 CE by Hoysala king Veera Ballala II and is renowned for its shining lathe-turned pillars in the main sanctum.
Veeranarayana Swamy Temple, Belavadi, Karnataka 577146, India

Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi | © Abhinav Alva

6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli

The Lakshmi Narasimha temple is located at Nuggehalli on the Tiptur–Channarayapatna highway, approximately 50 km from Hassan. It was built during the period of Hoysala king Vira Someshwara in the year 1246 CE, intended to be highly decorative and dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Nuggehalli Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli, Karnataka 573131, India

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli | © Abhinav Alva

7. Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli

The Lakshmi Devi temple is located at Doddagaddavalli – approximately 16 km from Hassan – and was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana and built in the year 1114 CE, making it one of the earliest known temples built by the Hoysalas. The main deity of the temple is the goddess Lakshmi, and this is the only example of the four-shrined temple style built during the Hoysala period.
Doddagaddavalli Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagadduvalli, Karnataka 573216, India

Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagaddavalli | © Abhinav Alva

8. Bucesvara Temple, Koravangala

The Bucesvara temple is an elegant example of 12th-century Hoysala architecture. It is located in the village of Koravangala, 10 km from Hassan, Karnataka, and was built in 1173 CE commissioned by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II. It is a simple yet highly ornate temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and the sun god Surya.
Bucheshvara Temple, Korvangla, Karnataka 573118, India

Bucesvara Temple, Koravangala | © Abhinav Alva

9. Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu

The Mallikarjuna temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, is in Basaralu, a small town in the Mandya district, Karnataka. Basaralu is approximately 65 km from the culturally important city of Mysore and was built under the patronage of Hoysala King Vira Narasimha II circa 1234 CE. The temple is a highly detailed example of Hoysala architecture and resembles that of Belur and Halebidu in quality.
Shri Mallikarjuna Temple of Hoysala Dynasty, Basaralu, Karnataka 571416, India

Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu | © Abhinav Alva

10. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Haranhalli

The Lakshmi Narasimha temple at Haranhalli is a good example of 13th-century Hoysala architecture. Haranhalli is located approximately 35 km from Hassan city in Karnataka state, and the temple was built in 1235 CE by the Hoysala king Vira Someshwara.
SH102, Haranhalli, Karnataka 573122, India

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Haranahalli | © Abhinav Alva

11. Ishvara Temple, Arasikere

Ishvara temple at Arasikere is approximately 40 km from Hassan and dates from the Hoysala period, thought to have been built in approximately 1220 CE during the reign of Vira Ballala II. The temple is unique in terms of its 16-pointed stellar sanctum, the like of which is found nowhere else.
Ishvara Temple, Huliyar Rd, Muzawar Mohalla, Arsikere, Karnataka 573103, India

Ishvara Temple, Arasikere | © Abhinav Alva

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.