Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

Hoysaleswara temple was built during 12th and 13th century Hoysala Empire by King Vishnuvardhana. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the ground-plan of the temple is the characteristic star shape common to all the Hoysala temples. Hoysaleswara is actually formed by two temples joined by a common veranda. The temple of the north is known as the Shantaleshwara temple and is named after the beloved Queen Shantala Devi. The capitals of the pillars in the sanctum were once crowned with detailed sculpted pieces of women dancing. On the lower-most section, thousands of elephants are carved in a single piece of stone, each one depicting different actions. The temple includes around thirty-five thousand sculpted pieces.