The construction began around 1121 CE and purportedly took over 80 years to complete, yet it is still considered technically 'unfinished'. The city was immensely wealthy until it was brutally plundered by Malik Kafur (commander of Alauddin Khalji) in 1311 CE, and again in 1326 CE, reducing the glorious capital to 'Hale-beedu' (the ruined city).

The Pinnacle of Soapstone Artistry

The temple is constructed from chloritic schist (soapstone), which is soft when quarried but hardens over time, allowing sculptors to carve it like wood or ivory. It stands on a Jagati (raised star-shaped platform). The outer walls feature horizontally running friezes containing over 240 exquisite large wall sculptures of Hindu epics, alongside thousands of intricately carved elephants, lions, horses, and mythical Makaras. Astonishingly, no two sculptures in the entire complex are identical.

The two main shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, but they are named after the royal couple who patronized them. The northern shrine is 'Hoysaleswara', named after King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala, and the southern shrine is 'Shantaleswara', named after his legendary queen, Shantala Devi, who was celebrated for her beauty and mastery of dance.

Despite the violent history and its status as a ruined monument, the sanctum sanctorums were never completely abandoned by the locals. A priest is present to perform basic daily rituals (like lighting the lamp and offering flowers) to the Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara lingams, allowing devotees to experience a moment of spiritual peace amidst the historical grandeur.

A popular local legend involves the 'Garuda Stambha' (Pillar) found in the complex. This pillar honors the 'Garudas'—the elite, fiercely loyal bodyguards of the Hoysala kings. Folklore states that these bodyguards took a blood oath to protect the king, and if the king died, the Garudas would ritualistically commit suicide to serve him in the afterlife. The carvings on the pillar vividly depict this intense, sacrificial loyalty.

As an ASI monument, it does not host massive temple fairs like active pilgrimage centers. However, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great devotion, and the local community still conducts daily basic poojas for the twin Shiva Lingams and the Nandis.