Hoysala temples at Belur commissioned

1143

King Vishnuvardhana commissioned the magnificent Chennakeshava Temple at Belur to celebrate his decisive victory over the Cholas, launching a full century of Hoysala temple-building in soft soapstone carved with an intricacy that defies belief. Every available surface erupted with dancers, elephants, lions, and mythological scenes rendered in stone as densely detailed as the finest lacework - sculpture meant to be read like a sacred text.