Have you ever dreamt of returning to the older times? Where kings, castles and fairytales were the norm and picturesque mansions dotted the country side? Or maybe you want to see a city in ruins which once stood out as a great kingdom? In any case, Halebidu, regal capital city of the Hoysala Empire, is going to capture both your mind and soul as you lose yourself in the age old kingdom’s every working nook and cranny as you look for the mystery that you came for.

The sprawling temples which capture the heart of any architect, are found in abundance and will keep you searching for more.  The amazing architecture of the city and kingdom is the perfect vacation for any architect or an archeologist. Recently, after the year 2000 as UNESCO moved to protect monuments and commemorate them, Halebidu was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. And when you reach the place you will see that there were good reasons for doing so as the enthralling city keeps your imagination vividly occupied for a long stretch of time.

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When and how to go

You can go to Halebidu whenever you want. It is open all year round. But the ideal time to visit this place is around the months of October to February. There is a festival called Hoysala Mahotsava during March which can also be a good incentive to visit the place. The other eminent festivals of this region are Mahashivaratri and Diwali, both of which make for splendid viewing and completely light up the age old city.

The nearest railhead to the city is the Hassan Railway station situated about 27 km away. The tourists who wish to stay overnight, find a place here and commute to the old city. The nearest airport is the Mangalore airport situated at a distance of 168 km from where one can get taxis to reach Halebidu. The city of Halebidu is also well connected with all the nearby major cities through bus services which ply every day, making it convenient for the travelers to reach the city anytime they want.

Primary attraction of the Old City

The most important aspect about the Old city which keeps attracting tourists from all over the world is the immensely detailed and high quality architecture displayed here. The fact that the city still stands on its base, in spite of being turned to ruins over the course of time, speaks highly of the quality of the architecture of the period. To top it all off, the mesmerizing temples, which were a staple of this town, make for an amazing spectacle. One salient feature of all the temples of the Hoysala Empire is the ‘manatapa’ which is a prayer hall which used to swarm with devotees during the time of religious festivals and occasions.

The ‘manatapa’ used to be present in all of the temples of the empire and is one of the primary attractions for the tourists. The great halls of the temple along with their architecture, serenity and spirituality make for a major attraction as the temples present an opportunity for the visiting tourists to experience the grandeur of the Hoysala Empire in its full glory.

Fairs and festivals

Not a huge number of festivals are celebrated in this city presently. The eminent festival of this region is the Mahamastakabhisheka which is celebrated centering on a 17 m high statue of Lord Bahubali in his Gomateshwar form. The festival is celebrated once every twelve years. And thus after the long wait is over, there is huge pomp and grandeur around the festival. The huge statue is smeared with coconut oil, yoghurts, poppy seeds, jaggery, ghee, almonds, dates, bananas etc. Incidentally this statue is considered to be the tallest monolithic structure in the entire world.

5 Things to do at Old City – Halebidu, Karnataka

1. Hoysaleshwara Temple
2. Belur
3. Yagachi Dam
4. Basadi Halli
5. Nandimantapa
6. Kedareshwara Temple

1. Hoysaleshwara Temple

The magnificent temple derives its name from the eminent Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara. This is one of the most prominent shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple in South India is a traditional Dvikuta Vimala which means that it has two main buildings which are named after the king and the queen Shantala Devi (Shantaleswara). The architecture and statues are the primary attractions of the temple.

2. Belur

Belur and Halebidu are considered to be the two crown jewels of ‘the Indian cultural heritage’ situated in Karnataka. Known worldwide for its expert craftsmanship and exquisite artworks, this place is worth a visit to feel proud of ancient India.

3. Yagachi Dam

This dam is situated a little way off from Belur. But the dam itself is not of any such importance. It’s the accompanying water sports facilities that draw in a considerable number of tourists annually.

4. Basadi Halli

This place is known for the astute Jain temples which are architectural wonders of their own. The pillars of these temples are polished so well that they resemble mirrors at times. This is a great spectacle and a memoir to the excellence of ancient Indian architecture.

5. Nandimantapa

This is the mantapa situated just in front of the Hoysaleswara temple. The mantapa also has a shrine of Surya which houses a 2 m tall figurine of the deity. The Parswanatha Halli with polished pillars is a prime attraction which shows distorted reflections of the onlookers.

6. Kedareshwara Temple

This was the first temple in the Hoysala reign which was built by a woman, namely Ballala II’s queen, Ketaladevi. The temple is a site to behold in all its glory.

Museum of Archeological Survey of India

This Museum is situated in the primary temple premises. This museum displays coins, idols, figurines and anything and everything of historical or cultural importance from the Hoysala reign.

What to expect at Halebidu

At Halebidu, expect yourself to be mesmerized and surrounded by the glory of ancient India. The picturesque beauty of the region adds to the charm of the place. So go there, be amazed and you would sigh under your breath, ‘Incredible India!’