Hassan district has the distinction of having more temples built during the regime of Hoysala dynasty, said, M S Krishnamurthy retired professor of history on Wednesday.

Addressing post-graduate students of history at a workshop on ‘Art and architecture of Hoysala and Vijayanagar kings’ under the auspices of Heritage Club of the department of history at Maharani’s Arts and Commerce College for Women here, Krishnamurthy said, Hassan is followed by Tumkur, Davangere, Chitradurga and Mysore districts among other regions in having temples of Hoysala regime.

In Mysore district, such temples are located in Bannur, Talkad and Somanathapura.
Krishnamurthy said that though the Hoysala’s ruled from 11th century to 14th century, it’s only from the middle of their rule that temples were built, especially in southern part of Karnataka. According to the inscriptions available, they built 1,500 temples. Among them 450 are identified, with a majority (65 per cent) being shaiva temples. Vaishnava temples are numbered between 80 and 90, and the remaining are jain temples.

A sculpture of Sala (the founder of Hoysala dynasty) fighting a tiger is found on the temples built by the rulers of the dynasty. However, a similar structure found in front of Channakeshava temple in Belur, Hassan district is believed to be a replicated sculpture by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore Wadiyar’s. Krishnamurthy asserted that not all the temples built by Hoysalas are uniform in style and architecture
Krishnamurthy said that understanding of Hoysala art and architecture would become much easier if one is well versed with the history of Kalyani Chalukyas and Badami Chalukyas.

Deputy Director of the department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage Jagadish suggested that the college include the recent developments in the field of history in the syllabus. The officer  said that the syllabus was outdated, as it still had chapters pertaining to excavations dating 50 years ago. Newer and significant findings have been recorded and the same should be taught to the students, he said.