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{{Infobox royalty<br />
| name = Sala<br />
| title = Hoy, Sala Founder of [[Hoysala Dynasty]]<br />
| image =<br />
| birth_place = Sosevuru ([[Angadi]]), [[Chikkamagaluru]] District Karnataka<br />
| religion = [[Jainism]]<br />
| dynasty = [[Hoysala Dynasty]]<br />
}}<br />
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'''Sala''' is the legendary founder of the [[Hoysala dynasty]] of Karnataka, India. He is remembered for the famous story in which he killed a tiger (or lion) on the command of his [[Jain]] preceptor, an act that is said to have given the dynasty its name.<br />
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== Legend and name ==<br />
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According to Hoysala tradition, the dynasty's name originated from the words '''''Hoy, Sala'''!'' meaning "Strike, Sala!", shouted by his [[Jain]] guru '''Sudatta Muni''' when Sala encountered a tiger (sometimes described as a lion) threatening the sage during worship. Sala is said to have slain the beast with a single blow, establishing his bravery and giving rise to the royal emblem depicting the fight.<ref>Foekema, Gerard (1996). ''A Complete Guide to Hoysaḷa Temples''. Abhinav Publications. p. 13.</ref> <br />
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This legend is prominently depicted in sculpture at Hoysala temples such as the [[Chennakeshava Temple, Belur|Chennakeshava Temple]] at [[Belur, Karnataka|Belur]], where the emblem of Sala fighting the tiger/lion became the royal crest of the Hoysalas. <br />
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== Historical context ==<br />
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While '''Sala''' himself remains a semi-legendary figure, inscriptions suggest that the [[Hoysala]] family originated in the '''Malnad''' region (Western Ghats) of [[Karnataka]]. Sosevuru, now known as [[Angadi]] village in [[Chikkamagaluru]] district, is traditionally regarded as their ancestral home and was a prominent [[Jain]] religious center at the time.<ref>Kamath, Suryanath U. (2001). ''A Concise History of Karnataka''. Bangalore: Jupiter Books. p. 100.</ref> <br />
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The Hoysalas began as local chiefs or feudatories of the Western [[Chalukyas]] of Kalyana. Early rulers like Nripa Kama and [[Vinayaditya (Hoysala dynasty)|Vinayaditya]] expanded their influence over Gangavadi (southern Karnataka). The dynasty rose to major power in the 12th century under King Vishnuvardhana, who defeated the Cholas and consolidated control over the Deccan.<ref>Kamath (2001), pp. 100–104.</ref><ref>Sastri, K.A. Nilakanta (1955). ''A History of South India''. Oxford University Press. p. 242.</ref> <br />
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== Legacy ==<br />
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Sala's the legend of his tiger-slaying act served as a powerful origin myth for the [[Hoysala dynasty]]. It symbolized royal valor and divine favor, legitimizing the dynasty’s rule and linking it to the protection of religious institutions. <br />
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Today, the "Hoy, Sala!" story and emblem are iconic parts of Karnataka’s cultural heritage, celebrated in art, sculpture, and folklore. <br />
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== References ==<br />
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<references/><br />
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[[Category:Indian royalty]]<br />
[[Category:Jainism in Karnataka]]</div>GabrielaPreiss