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UNESCO recently included the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, consisting of three temples in Karnataka, on its World Heritage List.

Facts About:

The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas consist of a collection of temples crafted by the Hoysala dynasty in the 12th-13th centuries.

• This ensemble includes three significant components: Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura.

These three temples are as follows:

• The Chennakeshava Temple: Located at the heart of Belur in the Hassan district, it serves as the main temple in the complex. It is surrounded by the remnants of a mud fort and a moat.
• The Hoysaleswara Temple: Situated on the banks of the Dwarasamudra tank in Halebidu, the Hassan district, this temple is part of a town with numerous protected and unprotected temples, archaeological ruins, and mounds.
• The Keshava Temple: Found in the center of Somanathapura village in the Mysore district.
• These temples are primarily dedicated to Hindu deities like Shiva and Vishnu, with some also honoring the Jain faith.
• The architecture of the Hoysala temples reflects a blend of Dravidian design with influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karntata-Dravida styles favored by the Kalyani Chalukyas.