It is assumed that the building of the Hoysaleswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was begun in the middle of 12th century. It is covered with intricately engraved sculptures. Even after 87 years of building, this was never completed as the Delhi Sultanate invaded the Halebid by that time.
The Hoysaleshwara temple is a sculptural marvel, made as standing on a platform enriched with most finely detailed scrollwork in stone. This star-shaped temple is a pair of two similar temples with separate sanctuaries and mandapams next to each other. Outside there is a Nandi (Bull), the chariot of Shiva, and a hilltop, in which the Palace stood, connected to the temple by a passageway. The ramparts of the temples are adorned with variety of gods and goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Garuda Stambha (Pillar) is a worthy note structure of Hoysaleswara Temple.
In the southern side, there is a pillar with inscription of heroes carrying knives and cutting their own heads, commemorating Kuruva Lakshma, the bodyguard of Veera Ballala II. A pretty nice inscription indeed!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/olderock/4441858635/in/photostream/
