A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c21.97

c21.97

The temple of Hoysaleśvara at Halebid was perhaps the highest achievement of the school though its present ruined condition—for it lacks the whole of its superstructure—renders it difficult to realize this. This grand temple was designed and erected by Kedaroja, the master-builder of Narasimha I, under the supervision of Ketamalla, chief officer of the public works. It is a double temple, two complete structures exactly alike built side by side and connected by their side transepts. Each measures 112 feet in length and about 100 feet in width. The infinite wealth of sculpture over the exterior of this temple makes it one of the most remarkable monuments of the world and an unrivalled ‘repository of religious thought expressed in plastic form’.