Hassan Hoysala Stone Temple Belur Halebidu Sculpture

Hassan district in Karnataka's Malnad-Maidan transition zone is the site of the Hoysala temples of Belur (Chennakeshava Temple, 1117 CE) and Halebidu (Hoysaleswara Temple, 1121 CE) — two of India's most extravagant stone carving achievements, where every surface of the soapstone (schist) walls is covered in interlocking friezes of elephants, lions, horses, mythological scenes, and celestial maidens (Salabhanjika) carved in extraordinary detail by Hoysala court sculptors. The Hassan-Belur-Halebidu triangle is a major heritage tourism destination, and the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of Hoysala temples was accepted in 2023. Hassan district grows coffee and cardamom in its Malnad hillsides and paddy-areca nut in the valley tracts.