Belur, Karnataka – A holy place known as the Benaras of the south
Erstwhile capital of the Hoysala Empire, Belur is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka. Belur is known for the heritage tourism it offers. The place is also named as Dakshina Varanasi or Southern Banaras.
Places to see at Belur: Belur is famous for its exquisite temples and sculptures of the Hoysala period. There may not be many places to see in Belur but the following spots are a must visit:
Chennakesava Temple
The prime tourist attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava Temple built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 A D to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism. The temple took 103 years to build and is a classic example of the Hoysala style. Standing on a star-shaped platform, it has three doorways and bracket figures or ‘Madanikas’ representing the masterpieces of craftsmanship. The pillars of the temple are richly carved. The ChannekeshavaTemple is unique as it is said that every Hindu deity has been represented in the temple. There are intricate sculptures all around and no portion in the temple is left blank. On the smooth circular platform in front of the shrine, stands the sculpture of the beautiful Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana. The four famous bracket figures on the ornate ceiling have been inspired by Shantala Devi’s voluptuous beauty. Everything in the temple is made with black stones.
Veeranarayana Temple
Situated on the west of the ChennaKesava Temple is Veeranarayana temple. This temple houses the shrines of Kappe Chenniga, Andal, Saumya Nayaki, and other deities.
Nearby attractions around Belur: You can excursion to Halebid, which is 16 km from Belur. Those on spiritual tourism in Belur will be delighted visiting this place. Halebid, is famous for the Hoyasaleeswara temple. There are also smaller temples like Kedareswara and three Jain temples at Halebid. One can also visit Shravanabelagola, situated 50 km off Hassan, an important Jain pilgrimage center and famous for the 17 m high statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwar).
Things to do at Belur: You will be mesmerized by the intricate sculptures of the temples and feel the ecstasy in the spiritual atmosphere.
Best time to visit Belur: The best time to visit Belur is between the months of October and April when the weather is pleasant enough to enjoy the outdoors.
How to go ?
Hassan which is 27 Km from Belur is connected by rail and road to Bangalore. It is 180 km from Bangalore. From here you have to reach Belur by car.
Where to stay ?
There are very few accommodation options in Belur.
Hotel Maurya Velapuri (KSTDC): +91-08177- 222209
Hotel Vishnu Regency: +91- 08177- 223011.
Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.
