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Young World
DESIGN MARVEL
It's about design and craftsmanship
A. SRIVATHSAN
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The 12th and 13th century the Hoysala temples are architecturally significant.
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Hoysala Temples are usually star-shaped and placed over a high pedestal that is used for circumambulation.
PHOTO: A. SRIVATSAN
ONE-UP ON THE CHALUKYAS: Intricately carved sculptures.
To a casual eye all Indian temples look alike. But temple architecture differs both regionally and historically. Some have gone for experimentation rather than conforming to norms and have preferred a grand scale over grace. A few others have chosen to highlight form rather than decoration. There are also temples that represent power rather than piety. Nothing could be more illustrative than the Hoysala temples in Karnataka.
Hoysala temples are usually star-shaped and placed over a high pedestal that is used for circumambulation. The star arrangement generates lot more surfaces to carve than the square shaped ones. The many surfaces so generated are abundantly filled with fine and intricate sculptures. The temples appear like a well-carved mountain than a piled up stone. Historians think that the Hoysalas took to excessive sculptural rendering in order to rival the Chalukyas. They indeed matched them and at places even went further. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Hoysala temples are an exhibition of impressive craftsmanship and innovative design skills.
Unique Belvadi
The triad of Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur temples are well known amongst Hoysala temples. Apart from them are many more equally important and architecturally significant temples. Temples at Amritpura, Basaralu and Belvadi are some of the lesser known and often-missed ones.
What surprises is that Belvadi, in spite of being close to Halebid and Belur, is less visited.
Built in the beginning of the 13th century, Belvadi temple has a unique plan arrangement. Later, the other two north south facing shrines with its large colonnaded halls were built. These two axis were subsequently interlinked. Some of the characteristic features of Hoysala temples such as the decorative ceilings, balcony seats and circular columns are found here too. But what makes this architecture distinct is the restrained sculptural decoration. Historians remark that if Halebid and Belur are to be visited for Hoysala sculptures; Belvadi is to be seen for the Hoysala's achievements in architecture.
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