Temple Description

Belur, located 38 km from Hassan along the banks of the Yagachi River, is renowned worldwide as a premier tourist destination. Once the capital of the Hoysalas, the town has been known by various names including Velapur, Velur, and Belahur throughout its history. It is particularly famous for the Chennakeshava Temple, an outstanding example of Hoysala architectural prowess. Built by the notable Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in 1116 AD to commemorate his victories over the Cholas, the temple was originally named Vijaya Narayana.

The Chennakeshava Temple is celebrated for its exquisite stone carvings, including over 80 Madanika sculptures depicting various scenes such as dancing, hunting, and standing under tree canopies. Among these, the four Madanika figures in elegant dancing poses, carved on the intricately detailed columns of the Navaranga, are particularly remarkable examples of Hoysala artistry. The Garbhagriha, the sanctum sanctorum, is distinguished by its stellar shape and zigzag walls, which cause the 24 forms of Vishnu depicted there to appear different depending on the time of day due to changing light.

The temple was crafted by master artisans Dasoja and Chavana, a father-son team from Balliganve, known for their expertise in Kalyana Chalukya art from Shimoga district. Legend has it that Shantaladevi, the accomplished queen of King Vishnuvardhana, served as the model for one of the sculptures in the Vavaranga, known as Darpana Sundari, which exemplifies the temple’s artistic splendor.

In addition to the Chennakeshava Temple, Belur is home to several other temples dedicated to Vaishnava deities, such as Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki, and Andal. The town also features a samadhi believed to be the final resting place of Raghavanka, a celebrated 13th-century Kannada poet.