Heat hits Halebeedu shrine in Hassan

Hassan: If people are feeling the heat, so is the historical Hoysaleshwara temple in Halebeedu , Hassan. The carvings on its exterior walls have started to erode in some sections owing to age,  rise in temperature and accumulated dust, say officers of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Built using soap stones during the 12th century by the Hoysala kings, the temple is famous for its ornate carvings depicting various characters from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the incarnations of  Lord Vishnu, and elephants and horses.

But some of the carving have begun to fade away, particularly on the west corner of the temple, at its  south entrance gate, and behind the Hoysaleshwara (shiva) linga, the Shantaleshwara (Shiva) linga, and the platforms of Nandi idols.

“The temple structure has also started to lose its strength at some points as well,” reveals an ASI officer,  however assuring that although the exteriors of the temple walls are getting eroded , its interiors are in good condition.

“This can happen to any temple structure due to rise in temperature. Rainfall and other climatic conditions are also responsible for the carvings losing  their sheen or getting eroded.

The temple has iron clamps between the stones and so climatic fluctuations  impact it,” he explains, however, maintaining that there is no immediate threat to the temple, which is a huge tourism draw all through the year.

ASI officials say they use preservative coatings at regular intervals on the temple walls to  do away with fungal growth, which could  change the colour of this ancient structure.