Vishnuvardhana

Vishnuvardhana (r. 1108–1152), born Bitti Deva, took the Hoysala throne after his elder brother Veera Ballala I. Originally a Jain, he won his fame against the Cholas: near Talakadu he routed the Chola general Adiyamma, recovered lost territory and took the title Talakadugonda, endowing Jain temples.

Later, influenced by Ramanuja, he turned to Vaishnavism and adopted the name Vishnuvardhana, though his queen Shantala Devi remained Jain. His victories made the Hoysalas a true kingdom, crowned by the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu.