Kedareshwara Temple.
The Hoysaleshwara temple is the headline UNESCO attraction at Halebidu — tour groups give it 60-90 min and leave for Belur. The Kedareshwara sits 200m south on the same lake-bank but isn't signposted from the main temple, so 80%+ of day-trippers don't see it.WHY NOBODY KNOWS
Built 1219 CE under Hoysala king Veera Ballala II — a smaller, more compact Hoysala temple than its famous neighbour Hoysaleshwara. The carving on the outer plinth bands is among the finest Hoysala miniature work anywhere: the 4 lower bands depict the standard Hoysala iconographic programme (elephants for stability, lions for courage, scrollwork for prosperity, horse-riders for speed) at a level of crispness that surpasses the larger Hoysaleshwara. The interior has 3 sanctums (trikuta plan) — central one for Shiva, side ones for surya (sun) and other forms. ASI-protected; entry under main Halebidu ticket. Best 8-10am for east-light on the carved plinth bands.
