Editing Hoysala architecture (section)

==Temple complex==
{{See also|Chennakeshava Temple, Belur|Hoysaleswara temple|Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura}}
[[Image:Hulikere Hoysala Kalyani(tank) altered.jpg|right|thumb|Hoysala stepped temple tank (''Kalyani'') at Hulikere, Karnataka]]
[[Image:Balligavi Kedareshwara profile retouched.JPG|thumb|right|Temple profile – staggered square plan ''mantapa'' at [[Kedareshvara Temple, Balligavi]]]]
[[File:View_of_Akkana_Basadi_from_northeastern_side_at_Shravanabelagola.jpg|thumb|[[Akkana Basadi]] at [[Shravanbelgola]]]]

The focus of a temple is the centre or [[sanctum sanctorum]] ([[garbhagriha]]) where the image of the deity resides, so temple architecture is designed to move the devotee from outside to the garbhagriha through ambulatory passageways for [[circumambulation]] and halls or chambers (''[[mantapa]]s'') that become increasingly sacred as the deity is approached.
Hoysala temples have distinct parts that are merged to form a unified organic whole, in contrast to the temples of [[Tamil Nadu|Tamil country]] where different parts of a temple stand independently.<ref name="cross-in-square">Foekema (1996), p. 21</ref> Although superficially unique, Hoysala temples resemble each other structurally. They are characterised by a complex profusion of sculpture decorating all the temple parts chiselled of soft [[soapstone]] (chloritic schist), a good material for intricate [[stone carving|carving]], executed mostly by local craftsmen, and exhibit architectural features that distinguish them from other temple architectures of South India.<ref name="soap">Kamath (2001), p. 136</ref>

Most Hoysala temples have a plain covered entrance [[porch]] supported by [[lathe]] turned (circular or bell-shaped) [[columns|pillars]] which were sometimes further carved with deep fluting and moulded with decorative motifs. The temples may be built upon a platform raised by about a metre called a "[[jagati (temple)|jagati]]". The ''jagati'', apart from giving a raised look to the temple, serves as a ''[[pradakshina]]patha'' or "[[circumambulation]] path" for circumambulation around the temple, as the ''[[Garbhagriha|garbagriha]]'' ([[Sanctum sanctorum|inner sanctum]]) provides no such feature.<ref name="pradakshina">Kamath (2001), p. 135</ref> Such temples will have an additional set of steps leading to an open ''[[mantapa]]'' (open hall) with [[parapet]] walls. A good example of this style is the [[Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura|Kesava Temple]] at [[Somanathapura]]. The ''jagati'' which is in unity with the rest of the temple<ref name="inaccurate">Foekema (1996), p. 25</ref> follows a star-shaped design and the walls of the temple follow a zig-zag pattern, a Hoysala innovation.<ref name="innovate">{{Cite web|title=History of Karnataka-Religion, Literature, Art and Architecture in Hoysala Empire |url=http://www.ourkarnataka.com/history.htm |author=Arthikaje |publisher=1998–2000 OurKarnataka.Com, Inc |access-date=13 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104123316/http://www.ourkarnataka.com/states/history/historyofkarnataka32.htm |archive-date=4 November 2006 |url-status=unfit}}</ref>

Devotees can first complete a ritual circumambulation on the ''jagati'' starting from the main entrance by walking in a clockwise direction (towards the left) before entering the ''mantapa'', following the sculptural clockwise-sequenced [[reliefs]] on the outer temple walls depicting a sequence of epic scenes from the Hindu epics. Temples that are not built on a ''jagati'' can have steps flanked by elephant balustrades ([[parapet]]s) that lead to the ''mantapa'' from ground level. An example of a temple that does not exhibit the raised platform is the ''Bucesvara'' temple in Korvangla, [[Hassan District]]. In temples with two shrines (''dvikuta''), the ''[[vimana (shrine)|vimanas]]'' (the shrines or [[cella]]e) may be placed either next to each other or on opposite sides.<ref name="adjacent">The Hoysaleswara shrine and the Shantaleswara shrine in the Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu are examples. (Foekema 1996, p. 59)</ref> The Lakshmidevi temple at [[Doddagaddavalli]] is unique to Hoysala architecture as it has four shrines around a common centre and a fifth shrine within the same complex for the deity Bhairava (a form of Shiva).<ref name="panchakuta">Foekema (1996), p. 25, p. 57, section:''Dodda Gadduvalli''</ref> In addition, four minor shrines exist at each corner of the courtyard (''[[prakaram]]'').<ref name="courtyard">Hardy (1995), p. 246</ref>