The Hoysala Temple of Belur, Karnataka

This intricately carved sculpture sits just above the main entrance to the temple. The figure you see is that of Narasimha (nara=man; simha=lion; an incarnation of lord Vishnu) killing an asura (demon). A bit morbid though: if you look closely you can see the chain-like intestine of the asura.

There are many such statue of maidens in various poses on the outer wall of the temple where the wall meets the roof. The queen of the Hoysalas (the ruling dynasty) is supposed to have been the muse.
Every statue also has tiny figures - in this case, those of musicians. The one on your left is playing a drum. The one on extreme right is playing a flute. One in the middle plays the cymbals.

The lady is all dressed up but appears sad. Her lover has not yet arrived. There is a small slave girl near her foot (left side) holding a monkey on one hand and grapes on the other. The monkey appears agitated as the grapes is beyond its reach - exactly like the lady, whose happiness seems just beyond reach.

The hero of the great Indian epic Mahabharata, Arjuna, is seen piercing the eye of a fish. To win the hand of Draupadi, he had to look at the reflection, in a bowl of water, of the fish kept high above on a rotating disk. Needless to say he managed it.

The guide told us that the bow in the sculpture, which has now been by destroyed by vandals, would make a twanging sound when struck.

In spite of the damage, the dynamism inherent in the action is apparent.

The wall is covered by such panels all around the star shaped (in plan) temple. This is a detail on the left (that is, on your left when you face the temple) wall.

As should be expected, the temple is lined with statues of gods and goddesses.
This is Shiva, the destroyer - one of three of the Hindu Trinity. He also dances extremely well.

How do you know he is Shiva? See the bull (bottom left), called Nandi, and the Trident in one of Shiva's hands. And he is dancing on a demon who represents ignorance. Basically dance your way out of ignorance!

The sculptor has captured his imagination extremely well.

One of the characteristics of ancient Indian art is the absence of individual names. We would never know these ancient Leonardo's and Rafael's of ancient India.

The sculptures inside the temple are a little bigger in size. And hence you can see that these are even more elaborate - if it was possible. It is said that all fashion that has been and that will be are all carved in the various statues in the temple.

A last look at the temple!

The pillar stands freely - it is not cemented at the base. In fact one corner does not touch the ground. A marvel in engineering - the centre of gravity passes through the geometric centre of the base and the pillar stands for the last 900 years.