Recently, the sacred ensemble of the Hoysalas, an exceptional architectural collection of temples in Karnataka, India, has been nominated for consideration as a World Heritage site by the Union Ministry of Culture. The Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura, built between the 12th and 13th centuries, are all protected monuments under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). This significant nomination is currently under evaluation for the years 2022-2023.
The UNESCO’s Tentative List and the Rich Historical Significance of the Hoysala Temples
As of 15th April 2014, the ‘Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala’ have secured a position on UNESCO’s Tentative List. This achievement underscores the temples’ invaluable contribution to the rich historical and cultural heritage of India. The Union Ministry of Culture is also working towards publishing Hindi descriptions of India’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the World Heritage Centre’s (WHC) website, as agreed with WHC.
Overview of the Features of Belur, Halebid, and Somnathapura temples
Belur’s Chennakeshava Temple, which took 103 years to complete from 1117 AD, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known also as beautiful (chenna) Vishnu (Keshava). Besides scenes from the life of Vishnu and his reincarnations, narratives from Ramayana and Mahabharata can also be found on the temple’s richly sculptured exterior, including some depictions of Shiva.
Halebidu’s Hoysaleshwara Temple is regarded as the most notable architectural ensemble remaining from the Hoysala era. Built in 1121 CE, the temple—which boasts over 240 wall sculptures running along its outer wall—is famed for its three Jaina basadi (temples) and a stepped well.
The Keshava temple at Somanathapura, potentially the last magnificent Hoysala monument, is a Trikuta Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in three forms – Janardhana, Keshava, and Venugopala.
Characteristics of Hoysala Architecture
Developed under the Hoysala Empire rule between the 11th and 14th centuries, Hoysala architecture mainly thrived in southern Karnataka. Known for its unique style, Hoysala temples are regarded as a hybrid or vesara—an intricate blend of the Dravida and Nagara styles. The Hoysala architects made well-rounded selection of features from other temple typologies which they further modified and complemented with their own specific innovations. These temples have a basic Dravidian structure but also show strong influences of Bhumija mode widely used in Central India, the Nagara traditions of northern and western India, and the Karntata Dravida modes preferred by the Kalyani Chalukyas.
What makes the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala a World Heritage Site Candidate?
World Heritage Sites, as inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List, are designated as areas or objects of “outstanding universal value”. These sites are preserved and protected for their cultural treasures and natural areas that span across the globe. Of the three types of world heritage sites—Cultural, Natural, and Mixed—India proudly hosts 40, including 32 cultural properties, 7 natural properties and 1 mixed site.
If the nomination succeeds, the sacred ensembles of the Hoysalas will be added to this prestigious list, providing a greater framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting these architectural treasures. The monuments offer insights into the extraordinary ecological and evolutionary processes, unique natural phenomena, and habitats of rare or endangered species which are prerequisites for a site to qualify as a Natural Heritage Site.
Next Steps in the Nomination Process
As per Operational Guidelines, 2019 of UNESCO, prior to being considered for the final nomination dossier, any monument or site needs to be featured on the Tentative List (TL) for at least one year. After successful nomination submission, technical scrutiny of the application will be executed by the World Heritage Centre (WHC). Following a detailed feedback by early March, the site evaluation is slated to take place around September/October 2022. The dossier will then be up for consideration in July/August 2023.