11 Facts About Hoysala architecture

Hoysala architecture is the building style in Hindu temple architecture developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries, in the region known today as Karnataka, a state of India.

Hoysala architecture is classified by the influential scholar Adam Hardy as part of the Karnata Dravida tradition, a trend within Dravidian architecture in the Deccan that is distinct from the Tamil style of further south.

Hoysala architecture temples were not limited to any specifically organised tradition of Hinduism and encouraged pilgrims of different Hindu devotional movements.

Hoysala architecture is often accompanied by his consort Parvati or shown with Nandi the bull.

Hoysala architecture temples have distinct parts that are merged to form a unified organic whole, in contrast to the temples of Tamil country where different parts of a temple stand independently.

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The open mantapa which serves the purpose of an outer hall is a regular feature in larger Hoysala architecture temples leading to an inner small closed mantapa and the shrines.

Hoysala architecture artists are noted for their attention to sculptural detail be it in the depiction of themes from the Hindu epics and deities or in their use of motifs such as yali, kirtimukha, aedicula on pilaster, makara, birds, spiral foliage, animals such as lions, elephants and horses, and even general aspects of daily life such as hair styles in vogue.

Salabhanjika, a common form of Hoysala architecture sculpture, is an old Indian tradition going back to Buddhist sculpture.

The Hoysala architecture style is an offshoot of the Western Chalukya style, which was popular in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Hoysala architecture sculptors made use of the effect of light and shade on carved walls, which poses a challenge for photography of the temples.

Hoysala architecture's sculptures were typically signed in shorthand as Malli or simply Ma.