Previously known as Dwarasamudra, Halebid, once the capital of Hoysala after Belur, is just 27 kms away from Hassan. Home to one of the finest Hoysala temples, Halebid is known to the world for its exceptional temple architecture that showcases some of the finest examples of ancient Indian architecture to the visitors from all over the world. The twin Shiva Temple with a common platform and two garbhagrihas, one beside the other have a common broad navaranga. One of them houses Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleshwara Linga and the other Shanthaleshwara Linga. Infront of the Hoysaleshwara is the Nandimantapa and behind that is a shrine of Surya with a two-metre-tall image. The doorways of the temple are elaborately and impressively carved. and the outer walls of the temple have rows of flawless figures exhibiting scenes from the epics like Ramayana, Bharatha and Bhagavata. The Parshwanatha basadi here with highly polished pillars reflects queer images of the on-lookers. Nearby is a Museum of the A.S.I., and the temples of Kedareshwara, a monument built by Ketaladevi, Ballala II's Queen.