LORD HOYALESWARA OF HALEBIDU

UNIQUENESS

"Imagine two Belur temples face to face connected by a covered passage way and you have the Halebidu temple", thus sums up an art - critic his opinion on helebidu temple. " How apt and brief is the observation, and correct cent percent", exclaims the beholder on going round this paradise of the master sculptors. This ingenious, yet dispassionate verdict amply and precisely highlights the glory of the famous temple at Halebidu - the touchstone of stone - cutters' artistry that has been holding the beholders spell-bound since its construction, way back in the eleventh century. The similarities galore existing between this and Belur striking the eye stupify the visitors even before going round the temple complex. The structural similitude manifesting itself in architectural modes and sculptural adornments, despite testifying to the magnificent patronage and the marvellous artistry, the date of its construction as inscribed in the otive offerings has given rise to arguments, but the royal banquet the sculpture stands better, rates higher, proves holier than Belur for reasons more than one. Here the artistes seem to be in a mood of gay abandon in giving expressions to their conception, conjecture in carving icons.

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