Located in Halebidu (ancient Dwarasamudra), the capital of the Hoysala Empire, the Hoysaleswara Temple is a breathtaking, albeit incomplete, testament to the pinnacle of Hoysala architecture. Commissioned around 1121 CE, concurrently with the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, its primary patrons were Ketumalla and Keshava Nayaka, wealthy citizens and officers serving King Vishnuvardhana. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it uniquely features two identical shrines side-by-side on a shared star-shaped platform (jagati), a dvikuta plan. The two main lingas are named Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, likely honoring the king and his queen, Shantala Devi. Constructed from chloritic schist (soapstone), the temple allowed for exceptionally intricate carving. Its most famous feature is the extensive series of horizontal friezes encircling the temple base, depicting rows of elephants (symbolizing stability), lions (courage), horses (speed), floral scrolls, and incredibly detailed narratives from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavata Purana. Above these are larger, exquisitely carved figures of deities and celestial beings. The temple walls are covered in a profusion of sculpture, showcasing the artistic virtuosity of Hoysala craftsmen. Despite over 80 years of work, the temple's superstructures (towers or vimanas) were never completed. This is often attributed to the invasions of the Delhi Sultanate under Malik Kafur (c. 1311) and Muhammad bin Tughluq (c. 1327), which devastated the Hoysala capital. Though damaged during these raids and never fully finished, the Hoysaleswara Temple, along with its nearby counterparts like the Kedareshwara Temple, remains an unparalleled masterpiece, offering profound insights into Hoysala art, architecture, religion, and society during the 12th and 13th centuries.