Belur, 37 km northwest of Hassan, lies on the bank of the Yagachi river. It ancient capital city of the Hoysala Empire. Belur is most for the Chennakeshava temple, which is the only one at three major Hoysala still in use. The temple was completed in the year by 1116 by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to celebrate his conversion into Jainism and victory over the Chola at Talakad.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and it took 103 years to complete. Depicting the finest example of the singular Hoysala style, it is must visit on the tour to Karnataka.
Check out the intriguing angled bracket figures depicting the women in ritual dancing poses. Puja ceremony at the temple begins at 9 am, 3 pm and 7:30pm every day. Today, its gray stone gopura or gateway tower soars above a small market town – a popular pilgrimage site from October to December, when heap of Ayappan pilgrims stream through en route to Sabarimala.
Halebid :
Halebid, 32 kms northwest of Hassan was once the capital of the powerful Hoysala dynasty after Belur, who ruled over the south Karnataka from the eleventh century to the early fourteen century. Formerly known as Dora Samudra, the city was renamed Hale-bidu, or “Dead City” in 1311.
Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara temples in Halebidu are major attractions here. The construction of the Hoysaleshwara temple started in the year 1141. Despite more than 80 years of hard labor, the temple was never completed, but still the temple presents the excellent example of the Hoysala architecture.
The interiors of the tower are covered with he riot of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals and friezes depicting the life of the Hoysala rulers. It also enshrines the deities of Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara, named after the king Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and his wife, Queen Santala.
Another highlight of Halebidu is the Kedareshwara temple, built by Ketaladevi, Ballala II's Queen. The temple complex also houses a museum of A.S.I. housing the collection of sculptures. The museum remains open from 10 am to 5 pm.
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