Vishnuvardhana
Also called: Bittideva · Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Vishnuvardhana, also called Bittideva, was a Hoysala king who ruled southern Karnataka in the early 12th century. In his time the Western Chalukyas were growing weak after long wars with the Cholas. He broke free from Chalukya overlordship, meaning he stopped accepting them as his overlords. He also fought the Cholas. This turned the Hoysalas from a small local family into a major power of the south. He also helped begin the richly carved Hoysala temple style, and he supported Kannada culture.
Example
Vishnuvardhana built the Chennakeshava temple at Velapura (Belur) in the early 12th century. Tradition says it marked his win over the Cholas. Tradition also says the saint Ramanuja turned him from Jainism to Vaishnavism, the worship of Vishnu. His queen, Shantala, stayed a Jain and gave gifts to Jain shrines.
Don't confuse with
- Kubja Vishnuvardhana: an Eastern Chalukya prince of the 7th century and brother of Pulakeshin II. He founded the Chalukya line of Vengi in Andhra. The Hoysala king lived about five centuries later.
- Hoysala founder Sala: the family's name comes from Sala, who struck a tiger when an ascetic cried "Poy, Sala" ("strike, Sala"). Vishnuvardhana was a much later king, not the founder.
Related concepts
- Kakatiyas
- Rudramadevi
- Kakatiya Kala Thoranam
- Thousand Pillar temple
- Ramappa temple
- Hoysalas
- Chennakeshava temple
- Hoysaleshwara temple, Halebidu
- Keshava temple, Somanathapura
- Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas