Temples of Hoysalas : Mallikarjuna temple,Basaralu

(Wikipedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basaralu

This temple was built in 1234 A.D. by Harihara Nayaka, a commander under the Hoysala King Vira Narasimha

The temple complex comprises two shrines dedicated to the deities Mallikarjuna and Chandikeshwara. The Mallikarjuna shrine houses a Balahari "linga" and beautiful lotus carving on the ceiling. There is a Bhairava sculpture in the sanctum ("garbhagriha") of Chandikeshwara temple in a corner of the temple complex. There is a twenty feet tall pillar opposite to the temple. The base of the temple has mouldings with relief in the ascending order of elephants, horses with riders, Hoysala emblem, puranic episodes, crocodiles and swans, a theme that is common in most Hoysala temples
(karnataka.com)
www.karnataka.com/mysore/basaralu-temple
The most significant aspect of this temple is its architecture. Not only does it have the typical sculptures for which the Hoysala temples are famous, but it also has numerous exquisite sculptures that are true works of art. In the innermost sanctum of the Malikarjuna temple is the Dravidian Shikhara which contains a Balahari Linga and a beautiful lotus on the ceiling.
Inside the smaller garbhagrihas that face each other are the ‘Naga Nagini’ (male and female serpent God) sculpture and the ‘Surya Deva’ (Sun god) sculpture.
While the top of the temple has the Shikhara and Hoysala emblem – Sala killing a Lion, the base of the temple has six layers of intricate pattikas starting with war elephants at the bottom, horse riders above it, the hoysala emblem, scenes from Puranik episodes like the Mahabarata, Bhagavata and Ramayana, crocodiles and the last layer has swans
The Chandikeshwara temple, though not as famous as the Malikarjuna temple, is also a must see when it comes to its architecture. In the garbhagriha of this temple you will find a Bhairava sculpture and right opposite the temple is a 20 foot pillar.
Some of the other sculptures on the walls are Ganesha, Keshav, Shanmuga, Shiva clad in elephant skin, 22 armed Shiva killing Andakasura, Shiva and Parvathi riding Nandi, Vishnu riding Garuda, Ravana lifting the Kailasa, Nataraja, Harihara, Samudra Manthana, Kalinga Mardana, Hayagreva (god with a horse head), Yoganarashima, Lakshminaryana, Dancing Lakshminarashima, Vamana, Draupadi with a garland, Lord Brahma, 18 armed Durgi, Bhairava, and many more.
The ceiling of the Ardha Mantap is magnificent with the intricate carvings of the Ashtadikpalas (the eight deities that protect the eight corners of the world).
If you look carefully you will be able to identify them as Indira representing the East, Agni representing the South East, Yama representing the South, Nirurti representing the South West, Varuna representing the West, Vayu representing the North, Kubera representing the North and Ishana representing the North.
Route:
The distance to the Basaralu from Bangalore city would be around 130 Kms. There are numerous buses that go towards Mysore on SH17 that pass Mandya which is just 75 kms from Bangalore.