Hoysala Marvel : The Laxminarayana Temple Hosaholalu

Hoysala Dynasty was a prominent South Indian Kannadiga empire that ruled most of the Modern day state of Karnataka from the 10th to 14th centuries. The Hoysala rulers were a great patrons of art and architecture. Initially, though we see the influence of Chalukyan architecture later they developed their own method known as the Hoysala style. Hoysala architecture and sculpture, especially ornate and intricate are best seen in Hoysala temples. Hoysala temples are superficially unique. They are characterised by a complex profusion of sculpture decorating all the temple parts chiselled of soft soapstone (chloriticschist) a good material for intricate carving, executed by astounding craftsmen and exhibit architectural features that distinguished them from other temple architectures of South India.

Dr N.C.Sujatha, M.A.PhD, daughter of Army officer late Mr. Napanda.S. Cheeyanna and Pebbattitira. A. Janaki was born in Somawarpet Taluk, Kodagu district, Karnataka. She is married to Ajjikuttira G Kushalappa. She completed the degree and postgraduate degree in first class from the University of Mysore Awarded PhD from University of Mysore, Department of History in the year 2001 and conferred gold medal for the same. She has ten years of teaching and research. experience. She has been conferred Dr. Radhakrishna Sikshana Ratna National Award in the year 2017 by the International Institute for Social and Economic Reforms.

She has authored two books titled "Glory that was Vijayanagara-Study of its growth and culture" and "Hoysalara Alvikeya Kaladalli Mahileyara Kodugegalu" (In Kannada). She held the position of Chairperson in the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology for six years Currently, she is serving as an Assistant Professor in the department of History, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, Karnataka.

She has participated in many national and international seminars and conferences and presented nineteen articles and twenty one research papers in reputed journals. She is a member of the editorial board of The Central India Journal of Historical and Archeological Research (CIJHAR). She has given special lecture programmes on various topics. She visited Egypt and Greece to attend the conference and presented the paper "Jamma Land, Tenure in Kodagu-A Critical Study" in 2015.

This book is regarding Hoysala temple in Krishnarajapete Taluk of Mandya District in Karnataka. The Laxminarayana Temple is virtually drowned in sculpture of unexampled intricacy and beauty. These temples in Hosaholalu is one, among the innumerable temples built by the Hoysalas and from bottom to top has carvings and produce the effect not only of beauty and perfect symmetry, but also of impressiveness, shows supreme talent on the part of the architects.

The Hoysala era was an important period in the development of art, architecture and religion. Hoysala society in many ways reflected the emerging religious, political and cultural developments of that time, besides revealing unmistakably artistic attainments realized by the architects and sculptors. During this period, the society became increasingly sophisticated. The temple exhibits an amazing display of sculptural exuberance. Temple building served commercial as well as religious functions.

The Hoysala's who were greatly influenced by the Chalukyas developed their own independent style known as Hoysala style of architecture. The innumerable monuments in Karnataka are a living testimony of this heritage.

The Lakshminarayana temple at Hosaholalu is a highly ornate and sculpturally rich Hoysala temple. It is trikutachala with the usual components of a medium-size Hoysala temple. The doorways and the Bhuvarnesvaris the Frizes at the outer wall arrest our attention. Particularly noteworthy are the narrative panels of Ramayana and Mahabharata on the southern and western sides respectively. Hundreds of beautiful sculptures on the outer walls have added great charm to this temple. Thus this fine temple of the Hoysala period.

Smt. N.C. Sujatha has studied this temple in great detail and has written a monograph. Though this is her maiden venture, she has been able to give a good glimpse into the history, architecture and sculptures of this temple this will be highly useful to general readers and to the visitors to This temple. I congratulate the author for this monograph and hope that the public would welcome this publications. I commend the author.

**Contents and Sample Pages**