The shiva temple in the ruined land of Halebidu is a fine reminder of the stunning architecture of the Hoysala dynasty.  The twin-temple is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara Shiva lingas, with two Nandi shrines outside. Local suggest that the two lingas, masculine and feminine was built as a mark of loyalty to the king and queen. When the 12 century soap stone temple was attacked by Allaudin Khilji, the original sanctum was destroyed, but the statues outside remain largely unaffected. The east facing temples now has a north facing entrance, and locals from Belur hint that it was the poor Vaastu of the temple that attracted the attacks. As news of the attack reached Belur, the chennakeshava temple was covered in sand to protect the monument and hence has the original Mohini keshava idol that people continue to offer prayers to.