[2][3][4][5] Halebidu was the capital of the Hoysala Empire between the c. 11th to 14th century CE when Jainism maintained a strong presence in the region.

[7] Bittiga (later became Vishnuvardhana), is considered the greatest ruler of Hoysala kingdom and was a Jain till around 1115 after which he converted to Vaishnavism under the influence of the Hindu saint Ramanujacharya.

[24][25] The temples along with the capital were plundered and destroyed twice, by Malik Kafur, general of Alauddin Khalji during the Siege of Dwarasamudra in 1311 and by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1326.

This temple is famous for the beautiful navaranga halls and exquisite carvings on the lathe-turned pillars.

[33][34] These pillars are massive placed to each other, which according to Kurt Bruhn signifies "the many layers karma that way us down with their black colour representing timelessness like it is for tirthankars".

[2] Indologist Klaus Fisher describes the intricate artwork that embellishes the temple's ceiling as the most elaborate in all of Halebidu.

Along with being rich in sculptures, the temple also features carvings of the life-scenes of Tirthankaras on the ceiling panel of mukhamandapa.

[37] There is a famous image of Padmavati with three hooded cobra over her head and with fruits in three hands and a weapon in fourth.

[1] Shantinatha Basadi or Santisvara basadi consist of a garbhagriha ("sanctum"), ardhamandapa, mahamandapa, large granite pillars with the inner sanctum consisting of a block stone 18 feet (5.5 m) image of Shantinatha, the sixteenth tirthankar.

[23] The original idol of Adinatha was a stout figure in lotus position; However, kept in navaranga hall after it broke.

[4] The basadi complex also includes a monolithic 18 feet tall manasthamba and Hulikere Kalyani (reservoir).

[47] According to A. Aravazhi, assistant archeologist in Archaeological Survey of India, Halebidu has many Jain temples built during the reign of Hoysala empire underground.