Belur

Belur

About:

Belur in Hassan district (222 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan) is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola. It took 103 years to complete. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and freizes-with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensous dancers nothing was left uncarved. The Veeranarayana temple houses the shrines of Kappe Chenniga, Andal, Saumya Nayaki, and other dieties.

Location info:

Address:Belur in Hassan district. 222 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Hassan.
District:Hassan district
Nearest City:Hassan
Best time to visit: Between September and February.

Climate/Weather of Belur:

☀ Summer: 20-35°C. Hottest Month: April
☀ Winter: 25-28°C. Coolest Month: December

Rainfall: 110 cms

History of Belur:

Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.

The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple ( dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava , meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana.

There are two more shrines here that are still in use by devotees and there is a Pushkarni or stepped well to the right side of the main entrance. The Dravida style rayagopuram at the entrance which was a later addition by the Vijayanagar kings, who considered this deity as one of their Kuladevata or family god.

The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. Legend has it that it took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhana's grandson Veera Ballala II completed the task. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, and sensuous dancers (Shilabalikas). Inside the temple are a number of ornate pillars. Darpana Sundari ( Lady with the mirror ) carved on walls of Belur Temple is one of major attraction in complex.

This temple along with Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu and the Jaina monuments at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Interesting things to do:

If you are a lover of art, Belur will fill you with awe. Come here to be mesmerised by the intricate carvings that are proof of the craftsmanship that existed during the 12th century. Once the capital of the Hoysala empire, Belur is today a quaint little hamlet on the banks of the river Yagachi. A look at the Chennakeshava Temple will leave you with no doubt as to why it took 103 years to complete!

And if that is not enough, 17 km east of Belur is yet another visual delight, Halebeedu. The Hoysaleshwara Temple is astounding for its wealth of sculptural details. Incidentally, this temple is incomplete despite 86 years of labour.
All these temples are an outstanding testimony to the unbounded patronage that the skilled sculptors received then.

Interesting things to Visit:

☀ Chennakesava temple complex:
This complex comprises of the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chnnegraya temple, and two more shrines. The Chennakesava Temple, one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, was built by King Vishnuvardhana in 1114 AD.

☀ Narasimha Pillar:
This pillar, which once revolved on its ball bearings, has a small space left on it to be sculpted by anyone who has the skill. However, it is untouched till date.

☀ Madanikas:
There are four well-known bracket figures on the ornate ceiling that are inspired by Shantala Devi's well-endowed beauty. On the walls, there are 38 bracket figures of attractive, meditative, mischievous and romantic women.

☀ Shantala Devi:
The beautiful sculpture of Shantala Devi, Queen of King Vishnuvardhana, is placed on the circular platform in front of the shrine. It is unique for its hollow and movable jewelry.

Mobile range info:

 

How to reach Belur?

Nearest Railway Station:Hassan is just 40 kms from Belur. Banavara and Arasikere are also near Belur.
Nearest Airport:Bangalore airport is the nearest to Belur (222 kms)
Road Transport:Regular buses ply from Bangalore (222 kms), Halebid (16 kms), Hassan (40 kms), Hospet (330 kms), Mangalore (124 kms), Mysore (149 kms) to Belur.

Nearest Visiting places in Belur:

Places around Belur-
☀ Halebidu:
One of the major tourist destinations in the state, Halebidu is home to the 12th century Hoysaleswara temple, consecrated to Lord Shiva.

☀ Doddagaddavalli:
This village in Hassan District is positioned en-route to Belur. The main attraction of this village is the Lakshmidevi Temple, built by the Hoysalas in the year 1114 AD during the rule of King Vishnuvardhana. Set amidst lush coconut plantations, the temple has a lake at its rear.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hassan

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation nearby Belur:

Some of the major hotels in Belur, offering a remarkable blend of tradition and modernity as well as a comfortable stay, are Sri Raghavendra Tourist Home, Sri Annapoorna Lodge, Sri Vishnu Lodge, Sri Gayathri Bhawan, etc.

☀ At Hassan:
Hotel Amblee Palika.
Phone:66307
Hotel Hassan Ashok
Phone: +91-8172-68731

☀ At Belur:
Hotel Mayura Velapuri
Temple Street
Belur 573115
Phone: +91-8177-722209

☀ Sri Annapoorna Lodge
Temple Road, Belur.
Rooms: 08
Tariff:
Double Bed Room: Rs.150/-
Conference Hall Capacity: 100 Max.
Conference Hall Charges: Rs.300/-

Travellers Bungalow
Department of public works, Belur.
Rooms: 05
Tariff: Double Bed Room: Rs.60/-

☀ Sri Vishnu Regency
Main Road, Belur.
Rooms: 22
Tariff:
Single Bed Room: Rs. 50/- Double Bed Room: Rs.100/-

☀ Hotel Mayura Velapuri
Temple Street, Belur.
Rooms: 22
Tariff:
Dormitory (20 Beds): Rs.35 per head.
Single: Rs.135- Rs.160/-
Double Bed Room: Rs.175- Rs.200/-

Things to carry:

 

Tips & Suggestions for Belur:

Fairs And Festivals-
☀ Hoysala Mahotsava:
The magnanimous dance festival held at the impressive Hoysala temples in Belur and Helebid is a glorious event. This cultural extravaganza is celebrated in the month of March.

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:Hassan
Nearest Hospital:Hassan
Society/Community Phone Number

Belur Nearest Attraction

Ramanathapura Temples
The temples of Ramanathapura stand testimony to the architectural grandeur of the Chola and Hoysala ages, writes B M Ravi Bettasoge.Hassan brings to one's mind art, culture and history. It has made a name for itself as a tourist destination, a haven of art and as a strong inter-link between the past and the future....more
Shravanabelagola Temples
Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore. In Kannada (the state language), 'Bel' means white and 'kola' means the pond, an allusion to the beautiful pond in the middle of the town.Shravanabelagola is wedged between two rocky hills - Vindyagiri and Chandragiri. ....more
Belur Archeology
Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple....more
Halebid Archeology
The present day Halebid was earlier known as Dorasamudra. This was the capital of the Hoyasala kingdom, which became prominent in the Mysore area in the 12th-13th century after the Ganga dynasty. The fort and pa;ace no longer exist. Now it is a small village with a group of temples.....more
Shravanabelagola Archeology
Jainism was born in Bihar in East India. When there was a great famine it is said that saint Bahubali along with his followers, came to Karnataka. The ruler of the Murya empire of the time Chandragupta, who considered Bahubali a sint , followed him and also undertook a fast unto death to propagate non-voilance.....more
Doddagadduvalli
About 16km (10 miles) from Hassan on the way to Belur is Doddagaddavalli, a village popular for the 12th century Lakshmi Devi temple.Doddagaddavalli is set in a scenic rural environment. According to the legends the temple was built in 1114 A.D. by a merchant called Kallahana Rahuta, a merchant or high officer in the Hoysala court.....more
Halebid Historical
Halebidu is located in Hassan district in Karnataka.Ketumalla, the chief of staff of Hoysala Kingdom, built this temple during 1121 A.D and attributed to his king, Vishnuvardhana and queen, Shantala Devi. Even then it is learnt that it took 105 years to complete.....more
Harnavalli Archeology
In the 13th century when the Hoysala kingdom was at the peak of it's power, a temple was constructed in every area, its detailed sculptures and decorations.....more
Shrvanabelogola Historical
Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain pilgrim centers located in the Hassan district of Karnataka state. Shravanabelagola is at a distance of 52 Kms from Hassan town, the headquarters of the Hassan district and 146 Kms from Bangalore.....more
Koravangala Archeology
Koravangala is a store house of Hoysala architecture. This scenic village, earlier called Kora Mangala, is home to three Hoysala style temples of the 12th century. All the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva....more
Hemavati River
The Hemavati River is a very important tributary of the Kaveri River. It starts in the Western Ghats at an elevation of about 1,219 metres[1] near Ballala rayana durga in the Chikmagalur District of the state of Karnataka, in southern India, and flows through Chikkamagalooru, Hassan District and Mysore district before joining the Kaveri near Krishnarajasagara....more
Bisle Ghat Hills
....more
Mosale Archeology
....more