World Heritage Identification Number: 1670
World Heritage since: 2023
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Religious Sites & Sacred Architecture
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇳 India
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas: A Testament to Ancient Indian Architecture
The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023, stand as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and architectural prowess of ancient India. Located in the southern region of the subcontinent, this serial property comprises three exemplary Hoysala-style temple complexes: Somanathapura, Belur, and Halebidu. These structures, constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries during the reign of the Hoysala Empire, showcase a unique blend of contemporary and traditional elements that set them apart from neighboring kingdoms.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This serial property encompasses the three most representative examples of Hoysala-style temple complexes in southern India, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. The Hoysala style was created through careful selection of contemporary temple features and those from the past to create a different identity from neighbouring kingdoms. The shrines are characterized by hyper-real sculptures and stone carvings that cover the entire architectural surface, a circumambulatory platform, a large-scale sculptural gallery, a multi-tiered frieze, and sculptures of the Sala legend. The excellence of the sculptural art underpins the artistic achievement of these temple complexes, which represent a significant stage in the historical development of Hindu temple architecture.Encyclopedia Record: Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
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. 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.Additional Site Details
Area: 10.47 hectares
(ii) — Significant interchange of human values
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 13.2124527778 , 75.9940722222
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© INTACH Bengaluru Chapter. Used with permission.
