My Dream Places-4: Belur

Belur Temple || Chennakeshava Temple at Belur Hassan district of Karnataka

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"Sudeesh Kottikkal"

Published on Sep 10, 2018

The Chennakeshava Temple, also referred to as Keshava, Kesava or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur, is a 12th-century Hindu temple in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. Belur temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur also called Velapura, an early Hoysala Empire capital. Belur temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. Belur temple artwork depicts scenes of secular life in the 12th century, dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Puranas. Belur temple is considered to be one of the earliest creations of Hoysala dynasty. At its highest, Belur temple stands 37 metres tall. Its outer walls are adorned with finely done artwork, with dancing girls in various postures.

Belur Chennakesava temple has three entrances and their doorways have decorated sculptures called dvarapalaka (doorkeepers) on either side. The navaranga hall has forty eight pillars. All except the central four are carved in a unique way. This place is one of the famous tourist destination in Karnataka - India. As per saying, the beauty of this temple is inside as there are 48 pillars carved in different designs.

The vast complex has a large rajagopura or gate arches .On the right of the temple is the Kappe Channigraya temple and a smaller temple dedicated to a Lakshmi reincarnation, the goddess Sowmyanayaki, sits slightly behind the two. On the left of Belur Chennakeshava temple, one can find the Ranganayaki temple.The Gravity Pillar-The decline of the Hoysalas saw the emergence of the rulers of Vijayanagara. The reign of King Devaraya saw his commander Bice Dandanayaka install the unique 42 feet tall lamp post, the Karthika Deepotsava Stambha.  This pillar is a testament to the architectural expertise during King Devaraya’s reign, with the post simply placed over a flat platform. It appears to be standing on its own dead weight, and has astounded visitors for ages. The doorways of the temple’s mantapa features a Hoysala king slaying what historians believe is either a tiger or lion. It is also believed that this could be a symbolic representation of the defeat of the Cholas, whose royal emblem is a tiger.

The Hoysala period of South Indian history began about 1000 CE and continued through 1346 CE. In this period, they built around 1,500 temples in 958 centres. Belur is home to one of the grandest examples of Hoysala architecture. Belur is located on the banks of river Yagachi and is known as Dakshina Banaras or ‘Banaras of the South’, Belur is called Beluhur, Velur or Velapura in old inscriptions and medieval era texts. It was the early capital of the Hoysala kings. The city was so esteemed by the Hoysalas that it is referred to as "earthly Vaikuntha" (Vishnu's abode) and "dakshina Varanasi" (southern holy city of Hindus) in later inscriptions.

It is 35 km from Hassan city and about 200 km from Bengaluru, 155 kms from Mysore and 153 kms from Mangalore .

Hassan is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. Hassan is situated 980 m above sea level. It is named after the Hasanamba temple. Hassan Tourism offers many other famous Places to visit in such as the ancient stone carved temples of Hoysala empire, Veeranarayana Temple at Belavadi, Hoysaleswara temple, a 12th-century temple at Halebidu also known as Halebidu Temple , Chandragiri Hill, Manjarabad Fort, Bhagawan Bahubali Monolithic Idol , carved circa 981 A.D.at Shravanabelagola , Ishvara Temple of 1220 CE during the rule of Hoysala Empire at Arasikere , Pushpagiri, Kedareshwar Temple at Halebidu , Hulikere Tank and many more.

Grateful thanks to "Sudeesh Kottikkal" and YouTube.