| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Karnataka, India |
| Includes | |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iv |
| Reference | 1670 |
| Inscription | 2023 (45th Session) |
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas is a group of three Hoysala-style temples in South India recognized as a World Heritage Site. These temples at Somanathapura, Belur and Halebidu, were built between the 12th and 13th centuries under the Hoysala Empire.[1] The three temples under the title of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, for their outstanding architecture, hyper-realistic sculptures and stone carvings.[2]
The architectural style of the three temples was developed by the early Hoysala rulers – who established their new kingdoms and regimes in South India – as a distinctive and innovative sacred architecture, which distinguishes the temples from contemporary kingdoms and dynasties.[3][4] These temples are as follows:
- Chennakeshava Temple in Belur (built by King Vishnuvardhana).
- Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu (built by King Vishnuvardhana).
- Keshav Temple in Somanathapura (built by Somanatha under King Narasimha III).
- ^ "Three Hoysala temples of Karnataka inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites". www.thehindu.com. Mysuru: The Hindu. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ A, Divya (18 September 2023). "Karnataka's sacred ensembles of Hoysalas inscribed on UNESCO world heritage list". www.indianexpress.com. New Delhi: The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ Singh, Rahul Sunilkumar (18 September 2023). "Hoysala Temples in Karnataka now India's 42nd UNESCO's World Heritage site; PM Modi says 'more pride'". www.hindustantimes.com. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ "Karnataka's Hoysala temples get World Heritage tag". www.telegraphindia.com. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.