Ishvara Temple was built in 1220 CE during the rule of the Hoysalas. Ishvara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is modest in size and figure sculpture. However its architecture is considered as the most complex among surviving Hoysala monuments. It has a 16-pointed star shaped mantapa and an asymmetrical star shaped shrine, whose star points are of three different types

The temple faces east and is made of soapstone. It is an ekakuta shrine with two mandapas, one open and one closed. Three units are connected to form a unity. The sanctum enshrines a linga. The ceiling of the closed mantapa is divided into nine compartments by the four lathe turned pillars that support the ceiling. The unusual stellate design is a deviation from standard Hoysala constructions.

The shrine has a tower. The vestibule connects the shrine to the closed mandapa that has its own tower called Sukanasi. The outer wall of the vestibule shares the same decoration as the outer wall of the shrine. The outer wall is stellate but the star points are not identical. They form three different kinds of star points making the design complicated. The lower halves of the outer wall of the shrine and the outer wall of the closed mandapa have the same architectural articulation. The central ceilings in the closed mantapa and the vestibule have been decorated heavily.

The interior and exterior of the temple have been carved beautifully. The ceilings are decorated, the domical ceiling of the open mantapa, the sculptures of Dwarapalakas in the closed mantapa, the 120 wall panel images carved on the outer walls are worth mentioning.

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