Why in the News?

Conservation and maintenance work are being carried out at following places in Karnataka by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):

	Key Facts
Hoyasaleshwara Temple	• Located in Halebidu, Karnataka. • Built in the 12th century during the Hoysala dynasty under King Vishnuvardhana. • Dedicated to Lord Shiva. • Famous for its detailed sculptures, depicting mythological stories, deities, and animals. • Hoysala style architecture with a star-shaped platform and intricate stone carvings. • Temple is a masterpiece of the Hoysala architectural style, with complex stonework and frieze detailing. • UNESCO tentative list for World Heritage status.
Amrutheshwara Temple	• Located in Amruthapura, Karnataka, near Tarikere. • Built in the 14th century by King Harihara II of the Vijayanagara Empire. • Dedicated to Lord Shiva. • Architectural style reflects Vijayanagara influence with a prominent pillared hall. • Famous for its stone carvings, particularly those on the Shiva Linga. • Notable for its tank and the beautiful courtyard surrounding the temple. • Temple follows the tradition of Chola and Hoysala architecture, with distinct Vijayanagara elements.
Gol Gumbaz	• Located in Vijayapura, Karnataka. • Built in the 17th century by Sultan Muhammad Adil Shah of the Bijapur Sultanate as his tomb. • Second-largest dome in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. • Acoustic marvel: The dome has a whispering gallery, where sounds can be heard clearly from great distances. • The central dome spans 44 meters in diameter and is flanked by four towers. • The structure is made of lime mortar and stone. • Reflects Deccan Sultanate architectural brilliance, combining Persian, Ottoman, and Indian elements.
Gomatesvara Temple	• Located in Shravanabelagola, Karnataka. • Features the 57-feet monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomatesvara), carved from a single block of granite in 981 AD. • The statue is the largest monolithic statue in India. • A major pilgrimage site for Jains; it commemorates the spiritual enlightenment of Bahubali. • The temple complex includes tall steps leading up to the statue, with pilgrims performing a ritual of climbing the steps. • Maha Mastakabhisheka: Every 12 years, the statue is anointed with milk, water, and saffron in a grand ritual. • The temple and statue are considered an architectural marvel in Jain art and sculpture.