This book provides a complete survey of the Hoysala temples that are still in existence. These sophisticated Hindu temples, always made of potstone, were built between 1100 and 1300 AD in the southern half of Karnataka, southern India. Today three of them, found in Belur, Halebid and Somanathapur, are very well-known. They are, however, only the tip of the iceberg, for more than a hundred Hoysala temples, large and small, have survived the ravages of time. In this book all important and elaborate ones are discussed, and also a large selection of the smaller and more simple ones. Altogether, some 90 temples are dealt with. This is not the first time that a full-scale account of Hoysala temples has been given. An extensive appraisal of them can be found in the annual reports of the Archaeological Survey of Mysore, published between 1906 and 1946. The exemplary descriptions and illustrations given by them are, however, scattered over many separate volumes and unfortunately, pay only limited attention to architectural design. This book nicely supplements the old Mysore reports and specifically describes the characteristic architectural features of the temples. All of the temples and architectural features discussed are illustrated by some 500 photographs. Architectural designs are also explained by more than 70 figures. Furthermore, all temple sites have been clearly indicated in 12 maps. Up until the present day, no other group of Indian temples has received so clear and concise and overview.
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