Hoysaleshwara temple, aka the Halebidu temple, is a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to the Shiva.
It is the largest monument in Halebidu, a town in Karnataka, and the former capital of the Hoysala Empire.
The temple was built on the banks of a large man-made lake by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire.
Its construction started around 1121 CE and was complete in 1160 CE
It is notable for its sculptures, intricate reliefs, detailed friezes as well its history, iconography, inscriptions in North Indian and South Indian scripts.
The temple artwork provides a pictorial window into the life and culture in the 12th century South India. About 340 large reliefs depict the Hindu theology and associated legends.
Numerous smaller friezes narrate Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana.
Some friezes below large reliefs portray its narrative episodes.
The artwork in Hoysaleswara temple is damaged but largely intact.