Halebidu was formerly known as Dwarasamudra and during 12th and 13th centuries it flourished as the capital city of the Hoysala Empire. The city is set amidst green expanse of agricultural land and far-away hills. Veerabhalla II took the city to the peak of popularity. The beautification of the city had to be stopped mid-way because of the invasion of the Delhi Sultanate. Today it is a small village located in the Hassan district of Belur province. Belur, too, is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka. The district is located at a distance of 220 kilometers from Bangalore. The key attraction of Halebidu, today, is the Hoysaleshwara Temple. Even after 87 years it stands incomplete.

The crumbling ruins had undergone revamping and today they stand almost intact to depict the age that is long lost. The Hoysaleshwara Temple contains, primarily, two temples that have been built inside. The platform of the temple has two big bulls facing the temple and a figure of Ganesha is situated on the south direction. The detailed architecture will completely stupefy the tourist. The twin Shiva temple has two garbhagrihas, both have a common navaranga. Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara Linga is placed in one of these and the other possesses Shanthaleshwara Linga. These Shaiva gods are in the form of lingas. In front of the Hoysaleshwara Temple the traveler will come across Nandimantapa and behind it is the shrine of Surya, a two-meter tall image and the figure of Arunadeva. There are 4 doors to the Hoysaleshwara Temple. These are ornately and intricately designed. The outer walls of the temple are designed with figures narrating tales from Holy Scriptures like Ramayana, Bhagavat Gita and Mahabharata. The temple was built by Ketumalla, an important official in the court of King Vishnuvardana.

The engravings on the outer wall of Hoysaleshwara Temple include lifting of Govardhanagiri by Krishna, Durbar of Lord Shiva, fight between Karna and Arjuna, Gajendramoksha, shooting of Matsya Yantra and childhood plays of Bala Krishna. The figure of the Ugra Narsimha carved on stone is a visual treat.

Another gem in the architecture of Karnataka is Kedareshwara Temple built in 119 A.D. this magnificently carved building has a doorway, tower and other walls. There are a number of sculptures here that include the charging horse, swans, lion, elephants and several mythical animals. The sources of all these figures are the mythological texts and Bhagvad Gita. The ceilings of temple are intricately designed with dancing figures.

Besides Hindu temples a traveler will also come across Jain Basadis at Halebidu. Pareshwanatha Temple and the Temple of Sri Ranganatha are also a part of this historical site in Karnataka.

From Belur, Hassan and Bangalore car services are available to reach this place. Train services from Hassan are also favorable mode of transportation. From the cities of Bangalore and Mangalore flights are available to arrive at Halebidu.