Temple premises

A splendidly carved huge monolithic Ganesha stands along the southern entrance path. The royal retinue used this path to go from the palace to the temple, and they offered the first worship to this idol of Ganesha before proceeding inside the temple. In the Hindu tradition, it is customary to pray to God Ganesha before any other deity.

In almost all temples in India, the eastern entrance is the main entrance. However, in the Hoysaleshwara temple, it was southern, for the palace was situated south of the temple. This entrance was called the Raja Dwara - the King's gate.

The temple premise houses an uncommon Garuda Sthambh (pillar) at the southern entrance. Garudas refer to the bodyguards of the monarchs and their queens. Their sole responsibility and purpose in life were to ensure the safety of their lords. These inseparable guards committed suicide by cutting their heads off after the death of their master. This story is inscribed on the Garuda Pillar, where the guards are depicted cutting their heads with knives. There is also an inscription engraved over the pillar, which commemorates the death of one such guard, Kuruva Lakshma, the bodyguard of King Veera Ballala II.

Quoting from the book Hoysala Vamsa,

"The Shilashasana (stone inscription), which narrates this self-sacrifice of a thousand heroes, is inscribed on a pillar in the Hoysaleshvara temple at Halebidu. Around the inscription are carved eight male figures cutting off their heads with swords."

The book also describes the love and affection of Kuruva Lakshmana towards King Veera Ballala II.