* In India, Hoysala architecture reaches a peak.

As popular tourist destinations in Karnataka, Hoysala temples offer an opportunity for pilgrims and students of architecture to examine medieval Hindu architecture in the Karnata Dravida tradition.

It is distinctively Dravidian, and owing to its unique features, Hoysala architecture qualifies as an independent style.

It is home to one of the best examples of Hoysala architecture in the ornate Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples.

Amba Vilas palace exhibits an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture on the outside, but a distinctly Hoysala style in the interior.

Hoysala architecture is the distinctive building style developed under the rule of the Hoysala Empire in the region historically known as Karnata, today's Karnataka, India, between the 11th and the 14th centuries.

A feature of Hoysala temple architecture is its attention to detail and skilled craftmanship.

* Hoysala architecture

* Hoysala architecture

Rear view of the Rameshvara temple, built in the Hoysala architecture | Hoysala style at the Sanagama

The Chennakesava Temple () located at Somanathapura is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.

Among several styles of Sikharas that obtain in Hindu temple architecture, the three most common ones are the " Dravidian " style prevalent in southern India and the " Nagar " style prevalent almost everywhere else and the third style born from the synthesis of the other two called the Vesara style, seen mostly in Karnataka and most commonly in Hoysala and later Chalukya temples.

* Hoysala architecture

The Hoysala architecture is noted for its elaborate motifs.

His Meikeerthi praises him as " the conqueror of Kongu Nadu and Eelam ; the conqueror of the Ganges and Kaveri ; Vanquisher of Hoysala ; Subjugator of Kadava Kopperunchingan I ; The one who paid victory tribute and bravery tribute at Chidambaram ; The ruler of three worlds " ()

Study of the Hoysala architectural style has revealed a negligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact of Southern Indian style is more distinct.

The jagati which is in unity with the rest of the temple follows a star-shaped design and the walls of the temple follow a zig-zag pattern, a Hoysala innovation.

The Hoysala sculpture in all its richness is said to be a challenge to photography.

The Vijayanagara style is a combination of the Chalukya, Hoysala, Pandya and Chola styles which evolved earlier in the centuries when these empires ruled and is characterised by a return to the simplistic and serene art of the past.

Study of the Hoysala architectural style has revealed a negligible Indo-Aryan influence while the impact of Southern Indian style is more distinct.

Angadi in Mudigere taluk, Chikkamagaluru district is famous as the birthplace of the Hoysala dynasty.

Anekonda: The Eshwara temple at Anekonda is a little one in the Hoysala style.

The Chenraya Perumal temple there is a protected monument and is thought to have been constructed both by the King Krishna Devaraya and the Hoysala kings.

The earliest Hoysala inscription found in the district is dated in 1078 AD.

Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana is stated to have been in possession of both Gangavadi-96000 and Nolambavadi-32000.

There is a Chennakeshava temple of the Hoysala style.

The vigorous temple building activity of the Hoysala Empire was due to the social, cultural and political events of the period.

The stylistic transformation of the Karnata temple building tradition reflected religious trends popularized by the Vaishnava and Virashaiva philosophers as well as the growing military prowess of the Hoysala kings who desired to surpass their Western Chalukya overlords in artistic achievement.

These features were the use of chloritic schist or soapstone as a basic building material, pierced stone window screens which were very popular in Hoysala temples, and the vimana which follows a stellate pattern.

Large and small temples built during this era remain as examples of the Hoysala architectural style, including the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.

Large and small temples built during this era remain as examples of the Hoysala architectural style, including the Chennakesava Temple at Belur, the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu, and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.

Vitthala temple with musical pillars, Hoysala style multigonal base Hampi

The Hoysala temples at Belur, Halebidu and Somnathpura are supreme examples of this style.

Although the most glorious art of these Indian empires was mostly Buddhist in nature, subsequently Hindu Empires like the Pallava, Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara Empires developed their own styles of Hindu art as well.

* 1279 – The Chola Dynasty of South India falls under attacks by the Hoysala Empire and Pandyan kingdom.

* The Chola dynasty of South India falls under attacks by the Hoysala Empire and Pandyan Kingdom.

He first vanquished the Kadava Pallavas under Kopperinchungan-II, who had challenged the Hoysala army stationed in and around Kanchi and killed a few of their commanders.

The Kingdom now under Sundara Pandyan revived its infrastructure and military strength to gain autonomy and drive out Hoysala Empire from its political affairs.

This temple was built by Soma, a Dandanayaka ( commander ) in 1268 under Hoysala king Narasimha III, when the Hoysala Empire was the major power in South India.

Vaishnavism was very popular in the Tuluva region in the 13th century when it came under the rule of Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty.

The Pandya power extended from the Telugu countries on banks of the Godavari river to the northern half of Sri Lanka, which was invaded by Sundara Pandyan I in 1258 and on his behalf by his younger brother Jatavarman Vira Pandyan I from 1262-1264. later Jatavarman Sundara Pandiyan appointed his brother to rule KOngu country, Chola nadu and Hoysala country.