Belur and Halebid

Belur and Halebid are famous for their architectural splendour. The Hoysala temple at Halebid and  Belur have reached the zenith of  cultural development. It was built to compete the architectural spectacle of Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Konark (Orissa) or the best of Gothic art.

Typically the temples at Belur and Halebid are squat, star-shaped structures set on a platform to give them some height. Due to influence of Jainism in the 10th century these temples built by the Hoysala rulers have images of Shaivite, Vaishnavite and Jain sects co-existing in them.

Hoyaleswara Temple

This temple is one of the most remarkable examples of  Hoysala art.  The interior and the exterior walls of the temple are covered with intricate sculptures depicting the various Hindu gods, sages, stylised animals and birds, and friezes portraying the life of the Hoysala rulers.

The temple is set in a well-maintained garden adjacent to which is a museum containing a collection of fine sculptures. Inspite of the fact that construction of the temple started  in the year 1121 (Approx.) and there was 80 monotones years of labour the temple was never completed. Among the other famous temples of Halebid are the Kedareswara  and Jain temple.

Channekeshava Temple

The Channekeshava Temple at Belur was constructed in the year 1116 to celebrate the victory of the Hoysala's over the Cholas at Talakad. Intricate carvings can be found on the interiors of the temple. The sensational seven storied gopuram is exceptionally beautiful with some breathtaking sculptures explicitly depicting the apres-temple activities of  dancing girls. The temple is enclosed in a paved compound with a well and a bathing tank. Among others temples of Belur are the Channigaraya and the Viranarayana Temples.

Air : The nearest airport Mangalore (154 kms) is connected by Indian Airlines flights to Bangalore, Bombay, Madras.

Rail : The nearest Railhead Hassan.

Road : Belur is connected by road to Bangalore- 222 km, Halebid- 16 km, Hassan- 37 km, Mangalore- 154 km, Mysore- 155 km, Shravanabelagola- 86 km etc.