The magnificent HOYSALESWARA TEMPLE in Halebid is very similar to the temple at Belur, but more complex and different in detail of work. It is set on the same star - shaped platform ascended by a short flight of steps. Among the carvings are scenes of many historical battles,child Krishna/s frolics,Siva and Parvati/s embrace,Ravana hoisting mount Kailash and abundance of dancing girls. Noe let us see what the experts say

Henri Stierlin is an authority on Hindu Architecture. His book *Hindu India* - From Khajuraho to the Temple City of Madurai is a gem. It is published by Taschen as Taschen/s World Architecture (ISBN 3 - 8228 - 7649 -6). He writes as follows+ *At Halibid, the mouldings surrounding the building are still more complex (refering to Somanathpur and Belur). There are nine registers of friezes, containing elephants, lions, foliated scrolls, procession of horesmen, further scrolls, scenes of everyday life, then strange aquatic monsters amid vegetation, and birds. Above these figurative friezes, the tower is clothed in little upright pieces on which are portrayed divinities, nymphs and goddesses as well as innumerable superlative representations of scenes from Hindu mythology. These elegant sculptures are executed in steatite with meticulous detail, and their quality leaves one overwhelmed. Armies of sculptors must have collaborated on the immense site to cover the walls of the temple with this multitude of sacred and mythical characters, all exposed to the light of day and, many of them,figuring in legends known only to the faithful*

Another authority Fergusson write *...From the basement to the summit, it was covered with sculptures of the very best class of Indian art. .... No two facets of the temple are the same: every convolution of every scroll is different. No two canopies in the whole building are alike, and every part exhibits a joyous exuberance of fancy ...*

Another authority writes as follows * .... if you were to spend about 10 hours a day studying the workmanship, it might take the best part of 2 weeks to complete your survey*

How to get there; The best way is to Hire a car from Mysore or Banglore and visit Somanathpur - Belur and Halibid. As the expert say you will need more than three days to see the temples. Good accommadation is available at Hussan. (Refer article on Belur) KSTDC conduct one day tour. A German tourist couple told me that had they known about Halibid they would not have joined the one day trip and would have spent 4 - 5 days at Halibid alone