Culture and society through sculptures

The sculptures at any Hoysala temple represent both theology and societal culture. Sculptures on the walls surrounding the entryway and the open halls portray different aspects of society, from music and dance to hunting and farming. The walls closer to the shrine where the main deity is present have only sculptures and reliefs from Hindu theology. Locally people believe that it is because one has to shed the desires and aspirations of the material world as they get closer to God.

The images below are of a panel on a wall projection that depicts women wearing intricate jewellery. Some of these women are holding up corn as an offering, some have held a hand fan, and one is holding a creeper. Probably these were commonly used items in that era.

Chennakeshava temple of Beluru is renowned for Shilabalikas, the perfectly carved maidens placed on brackets. However, one can be seen here in the Halebeedu temple, albeit in a severely damaged condition.

The panel below depicts dancers and musicians with various instruments.

The local legend about this sculpture is that it portrays a poisonous maiden. In the olden days, it was common practice to raise select young girls by feeding minuscule amounts of poison. This turned them into maidens who were poisonous, and these beautiful girls were set upon the enemies, especially the enemy Kings and other higher officials, to seduce them and eventually kill them with poison.

In the sculpture below, snakes are entangled around the neck, legs and arms of the maiden. Please note that this is a popular local legend, and there could be other explanations for this sculpture.