Virtual Tour of the Hoysala Temple in Halebid, Karnataka

Garbha=womb; Gruha (or Griha) = house. In English, the Sanctum Santorum. The presiding deity, Shiva, is worshiped primarily in phallic form (Shiva Linga). At the entrace of the grarbhagruha are the two Dwarapalas (Dwara = door; Palas = guards).

The Dwarapala on the left. See those (small black) skulls on the head gear. They are 3-D and hollow. To demonstrate this the guide pushes a twig through the eyes of the skull and end of the twig comes out of the mouth.

This is Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain to save the villagers of the Brindavan village from the anger of Indra the God of rain and thunder. The people of Brindavan used to worship Indra. Krishna persuaded them to worship the mountain instead. Indra was naturally extremely angry and send torrential rain own on the villagers. Krishna then lifted the mountain on his little finger and all the villagers and other animals (who were equally troubled by the rain) took shelter. Finally, Indra gives up.

This is Shiva dancing away to glory. He is more immediately recognizable here. Compare this to the dancing Shiva in Belur (in my other lens)

The Hindu Trinity consists of the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu), and the Destroyer (Shiva). Generally, they are placed in the order: On your left, Brahma, in the middle, Vishnu and on your right, Shiva. However, since this s a Shiva temple, the order is slightly modified: Shiva is in the centre and Vishnu is on your right.