Belur, Karnataka · 13.1629°, 75.8608°
Commissioned by Vishnuvardhana in 1117, by tradition to mark his victory over the Cholas at Talakad — the founding masterpiece of Hoysala art in soapstone, inscribed by UNESCO in 2023. Its bracket figures of dancing madanikas, each different, are among the most celebrated sculptures in India; the temple remains in worship.
The Darpana Sundari — the beauty with a mirror — is popularly linked to queen Shantala Devi, Vishnuvardhana's Jain queen and dancer, whose grace the sculptors are said to have carved from life.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Hoysala