Some of the distinctive styles: 
*  The temples have a star shaped base with the main structure standing on a raised platform. 
*  There are three shrines structured around a central pillared hall, each with a tower. 
*  Pillars with horizontal mouldings, produced by a mechanical process. 
*  There are intricate grille windows, an abundance of sculptural details. 
*  The sikharas unlike the northern style (parabolic) are constructed in well defined horizontal tiers. 

The temples are almost entirely covered with intricate sculptural carvings.  This was mainly possible, for the temples were constructed out of a very fine grained soap stone (chloritic schist).  It was much easier to work on this stone unlike granite or sand stone & hence carving intricate designs was very much possible on this soft stone.  A further great quality of the stone is its softness when first quarried but turning very hard on exposure to air. 

Some of the temples of this style 
Chennakesava temple, Belur 
Hoysaleswara temple, Halebid 
Kesava temple, Somnathapura.