Hoysaleswara temple (also spelt "Hoysaleshwara" or Hoysaleshvara") is a temple dedicated to
Hindu god
Shiva. It was built in
Halebidu (in modern
Karnataka state, India) during the rule of King
Vishnuvardhana of the
Hoysala Empire in the 12th century. The construction was started around 1120 CE and completed in 1150 CE. During the early 14th century, Halebidu was sacked and looted by
Muslim invaders from northern India and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. Previously known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, Halebidu is 16 km from
Belur, 31 km from
Hassan and 149 km from
Mysore, in the state of Karnataka,
India.