Name of the Hoysala empire comes from Kannada folklore that tells the story of a young man called Sala who fights and kills a lion to save his Master Sudatta.

“Hoy, Sala” in Kannada language means “Strike Sala” which became the name of the dynasty he founded.

The pictorial representation of this incident became the emblem of Hoysala empire too. A statue of Sala fighting the lion welcomes you at the entrance of Chennakesava temple at Belur.

This legend first appeared in the Belur inscription of Vishnuvardhana (1117).

The legend may have come into existence or gained popularity after King Vishnuvardhana’s victory over the Cholas at Talakad.