This is a close-up of the tiger(or maybe a leopard)-killing scene under the sculpture of the horseman. Three men are attacking the tiger. The man closest to the camera has just stuck one sword through the tiger and we can actually see the tip coming out of the tiger's flank. The other hand holds what seems to be a katar which is also in the tiger. The man in the center has a short spear and the third man (hidden from view) is also attacking the tiger.
I wonder if this is a simple depiction of a tiger hunt or if it commomerates the story of the founder of the Hoysalas. The Hoysalas ruled much of South India prior to the Vijayanagara Empire and the founders of the Vijayanagara Empire (Harihara and Bukka) were commanders under the last Hoysala king. . Hoy Sa'la meaning "strike Sa'la!", were the words spoken to Sa'la ( legendary head of this dynasty) to kill the tiger. Then again, if that were the case, it would probably show just one guy killing the tiger, to further enhance his heroism. So, in all probability it is just a simple tiger hunt.
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