The Chennakeshava Temple in Belur, Karnataka is an architectural marvel, the temple has gain a lot of popularity and famed for its artistic and eternal beauty around the world. This temple attracts a huge crows every year from different corners of the world is located around 220 kms from Bangalore, It is a small temple town nestled on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan district.
Also known as “Dakshina Banaras” or “Banaras of South” is one of the most revered monuments, The temple town which was once a capital of the mighty Hoysala Empire was formerly called as Velur or Velapura. Believed to be started by King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala Empire took 103 years and 3 generation to completely finish the temple!
This temple is famous for its architecture, sculptures, life-size human statues, etc. The temple artwork creates a life of the Hoysala Empire with dancers, musicians and other aspects of life at that point of time!
The Belur or Chennakeshava temple complex is a group of temples built on a platform of 443.5 feet by 396 feet with several Hindu temples and minor shrines inside the walled compound. The temple can be entered from east through a Gopuram welcomed by Garuda as soon as you enter the main entrance!
As per Archaeological Survey of India below are the list of the temples situated in this Belur complex:
- Shri Mukhyaprana Devaru (Chennakeshava Swamy)
- Shri Yoga Narasimha Swamy Temple
- Shri Benne Krishna Temple
- Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
- Shri Ramanujacharyaru
- Shri Dasharathi Modaliyandaan
- Shri Vedanta Deshikaru
- Shri Tirukkuchchinambi
- Shri Tiruppani Alwar
- Shri Paravasu Devaru
- Shri Pe Alwar
- Shri Jiyar
- Shri Kalinga Mardhana
Shri Chennakeshava Temple
This temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is in the form of Kesava. This Chennakeshava temple also known as Kesava temple is the main temple in the center of the complex which faces east, in front of the gopuram is a 178 feet by 156 architectural marvel. This temple stands on a wide platform above 3 feet high.
8 Amazing Places to visit in and around Belur
- Chennakesava Temple – Belur
- Hoysaleswara Temple – Halebidu
- Lakshmi Devi Temple – Doddagaddavali
- Veera Narayana Temple – Belavadi
- Kedareswara Temple – Watehalla, Halebidu
- Archaeological Museum – Halebidu
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