The name Halebidu means 'ruined city'. Halebidu was the royal capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. The small town is located in the Hassan district which saw the rise and fall of many glorious empires.

The magnificent traces of a by gone era and the serene nature make Halebidu a tourist's dream. At  Halebidu one can see the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.

History:

Halebidu was the 12th-century regal capital of the Hoysalas. The Hoysaleswara temple was built around this time. The temple is a wonderful example of the intense and beautiful architecture prevalent at that time. The temple enshrines Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, named after the temple builder Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and his wife, Queen Shantala and was sacked by Malik Kafur in the 14th century.

Best For:.

The town is scenic, filled with the remnants of a glorious past and lovely, intricate architecture. Those who love historic places and are inclined towards religion will find this place interesting. Since it is located in the Hassan district, it would be better to visit Halebidu as well.

The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here.

The nearest places for help in terms of embassy related issues and other tourist requirements can be found only at major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

A flight to Bangalore followed by a drive to Hassan is the best option to reach Halebidu. The scenic natural surroundings are guaranteed to make the visitor's drive a refreshing experience.

By Air: The nearest domestic Airport is located at Bangalore (200 Kms approx.).

International Flight:

There are no direct flights TO Halebidu. The nearest international Airport is at Bangalore (200 Kms approx.). Bangalore is well connected to many international destinations.By Road: Hassan is about 27 kms from Halebidu. Hassan is well connected to major cities Karnataka by a good road network and is linked with Bangalore, Mangalore, Chikmagalur and Mysore by road.

By Rail: There are no direct trains to Halebidu. The nearest railhead Hassan is well connected by train to Bangalore (185kms), Mysore (125kms), and Mangalore (190kms) by regular trains. The railway station is around 2 km east of town.

Hoysaleswara temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built in Halebidu by the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana. The construction was completed in 1121 CE. During the early 14th century Halebidu was the sacked and looted by Muslim invaders from northern India and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect.

The Kedareshwara temple and two Jain basadi are in the same temple complex. The Kedareshwara temple is known for the rich quality of its sculptures. In front of these temples there is a big lake. The town gets its name the from the lake, Dhwara samudhra which means entrance from ocean. The two nandi bull statues which are on the side of the Hoysaleshwara temple are monolithic. soap stone or Chloritic Schist was used for the construction of these temples. However a number of sculptures in the temple are destructed by invaders. So the temple is incomplete.  There is an archeological museum in the temple complex too.

Source: wikipedia

Where To Eat:

.Try the local south Indian cuisine and filter coffee available at most of the food joints in Halebidu. 

Where To Stay:

There are no five star luxury hotels here though you can find a lot of guest houses. However, it would be better to stay at Hassan as more accommodation options can be found

Belur [16 kms] Belur is a beautiful town located nearby Halebidu. This is a town full of exquisite carvings and extravagantstructures.

 Hassan [27 kms]  Halebidu is located in the town district of Hassan. Hassan is a delight for people who love artistic carvings. Every carving has a story to tell.

Recommended Circuits:

Bangalore- Hassan- Belur- Shravanabelagola-Halebidu