Belur and Halebidu Travel Guide | The Twin Jewels in Cultural Heritage of India

Belur and Halebidu Travel Guide – Had you ever thought it possible that stones could make you laugh, cry, and gape in awe and wonder? Yes, stones too can speak volumes and this fact was highly corroborated when I visited the temple towns of Belur and Halebidu.

The stones that are an inherent part of the intricately carved temples at these places have stories to tell and you need to experience it personally to believe what I am saying.

No words or images can do justice to the architectural magnificence that is so synonymous to the temples here and the level of dedication, skill, and craftsmanship that has gone towards their making is simply unimaginable.

I bet your state will be like that of a child in a sweet shop, not knowing which, how much and from where to admire and appreciate!

Before you start let me clarify that this place is for those who admire art, sculpture, architecture, and history. If you are interested in any of these subjects, then this is certainly a ‘not to miss’ destination.

If you are not interested in these subjects, then this destination is not for you as there is nothing else here.

Where are Belur & Halebidu located?

The twin towns of Belur and Halebidu are located 17 km apart in the district of Hassan in Karnataka. Bangalore to Belur is roughly 220 km. via Hassan. Nestling on the banks of river Yagachi, the towns are home to some of the best temple architecture of the earlier eras and the engineering skills of the artisans of yore can be witnessed even today.

What are the best times to visit?

The ideal time to visit the towns in the period between October and April. During this time, the area experiences pleasant weather during the mornings and evenings. You need to be protected well enough if you want to move about in the afternoons as the weather can get too hot for you to appreciate the beautiful and intricate work in the two temple towns.

The famed dance festival, the Hoysala Mahotsava is held here in the month of March. It is best if you can witness this important festival celebration.

How to reach from Bengaluru

• Belur can be reached by train or bus from Bangalore.
• The railway station closest to Belur is, however, Hassan which is at a distance of 37 km from it. Daily trains ply between Bangalore and Hassan and from Hassan, the onward journey can be done by a taxi or a bus.
• There are several private buses operating from Bangalore that takes you directly to Belur. You can also take the KSRTC buses up to Hassan and then move ahead by another bus or a taxi.
• You can also utilize the services of tourist taxis directly from Bangalore which is about 3.5 hours to a four-hour drive. Buses will, however, take longer to reach your destination which is Hassan.
• It is, therefore, better if you start early from Bangalore so that you can embark on your visit before the start of noon.
• Bangalore to Hassan road is very good and driving on this road is enjoyable.
• The distance between Halebidu and Belur is about 17 km and you can plan your itinerary as per your convenience making Hassan the starting point of your tour.

Local Transport & Places to Stay

You will need to resort to autorickshaws and taxis to move about within the area. If you have deep pockets then taxis are a better option.

There are very few choices for accommodation at Belur and Halebidu. It is best for you to stay at Hassan if you want to cover both the areas of Halebidu and Belur.

Brief History of Belur & Halebidu Temples

Belur and Halebidu are two shining jewels in the cultural heritage of India. Both the towns were seats of royal power during the reign of the Hoysalas around the 12^th century. The capital which was earlier located at Halebidu was shifted to Belur after its invasion by the Sultanate of Delhi.

The main spot of tourist attraction in Belur is the magnificent Chennakesava Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said to be constructed to commemorate the victory of one of its greatest rulers, King Vishnuvardhana over the Chola kings in 1117. Though Jakanachari was the main sculptor, hundreds of sculptors have put in their talent and hard work to make this a magnificent temple.

The Kappe Chennigaraya temple adjacent to it was constructed by King Vishnuvardhana’s wife, Shantaladevi and is another awe-inspiring example of astounding architectural work. Two more temples in the complex showcase the engineering genius of the Hoysalas.

Halebidu, in literal terms, means ‘Old City’; it was named as such because it was ravaged twice by forces of the Delhi Sultanate. The temple town is home to the magnificent Kedareshwara and Hoyaleswara temples which showcase the prominent Hoysala style architecture. Other worth visiting spots are the two Jain Basadis. An archaeological museum is also housed within the complex.

Architectural Splendour of the Belur Temples

1. The Chennakesava Temple

The Chennakesava Temple is the major tourist attraction in Belur and is dedicated to Lord Vijayanarayana, one of the many avatars of Lord Vishnu. The temple was built to commemorate the victory of Hoysalas over Cholas and hence the name Vijayanarayana. The temple is the best example of the exquisite carvings and sculptures of the time and stands testimony to the craftsmanship of the Dravidians. The temple took around 103 years to be completed. The work which began during the rule of King Visnuvardhana was finished by his grandson.

No stone lies untouched; each one of them has detailed work done on it. The elegant sculptural work contained in the temple’s wall-images is par excellence; the exquisitely carved pillars and statues are certain to take your breath away. They never fail to fill you with awe irrespective of the number of times you pay a visit to the site. Soft soapstone or gray-green chlorite has been the material used in the making of the temple.

The temple is of assembled type. No binding material was used to construct the temple. There has been no major destruction to the temple, only some small idols are stolen which is the handwork of small thieves.

Following are some of the things to look out for in this temple:

• Madanikas: About more than 40 carvings of celestial nymphs or Madanikas as they are referred to, adorn the varied corners of the Chennakesava temple. The detailed carvings display varied Bharatnatyam postures and are said to have been inspired by Shantala Devi, the Queen of Vishnuvardhana, who was an exemplary dancer.
• Darpana Sundari: Among the Madanikas, Darpana Sundari is very popular because of the imagination of the sculptor and intricate carving work. Next comes, the lady with a parrot, known as Shukhabhashini, which conveys that parrots were used to send messages as they can imitate humans. The intricate carving of ornaments on madanikas is something unbelievable.
• The Bhasma Mohini and the Huntress stand testimony to the true skill and knowledge of the artisans belonging to yesteryears. The beauty of the glistening soapstone which has been used throughout the temple is enhanced by the lighted diyas placed around.
• Gravity Pillar: The Mahasthamba or the Gravity Pillar is a pillar which stands tall at 42 feet in the center of the temple courtyard. The most remarkable thing about it is that it stands without a base to it. The granite pillar is built out of a single stone and is held in place by the sheer force of gravity.
• Outer Walls: The outer walls are covered with rows and rows of carvings depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Upanishads and varied animals. The base is carved with elephants numbering 642 and no two elephants are the same and each carving is perfect to the smallest detail. The row above this comprises of horses. You are truly at a loss for words as you admire the sheer mastery of the artisans who transformed ordinary stones into architectural marvels.
• Lintels above the Entrances: There exists marvelous, ornamental horizontal works of art above the varied entrances of the temple. One has Lord Vishnu is depicted as Narasimha, another has Lord Vishnu with his consort Goddess Lakshmi.
• The ceiling of the Temple: The insides of the temple are rather engulfed in darkness; despite the lack of light you should not forget to observe the ornate circle of the ceiling. The center spot is adorned with a noticeable carving of Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu.
• Narasimha Pillar: The first thing that catches your attention as you enter inside is the Narasimha Pillar which can be easily spotted out by the vermillion marks stamped on it by devotees. It has been said that the pillar was capable of being rotated in the years of yore due to the presence of ball bearings on the top.
• Hoysala Emblem: The Hoysala emblem at the temple can be easily missed amidst the mesmerizing sculptural pieces if its significance is not pointed out to you. Sala, the founder of Hoysala dynasty is seen fighting with the tiger in this sculpture.
• Vishnu Samudra: The Vishnu Samudra is a big tank that was constructed during ruler Narasimha Raya’s reign. The tank water is meant for usage in the temple rituals. Several additions were made to the tank by Basappa Nayaka.

1. The VeeranarayanaTemple

The Veernarayana Temple is dedicated to Lord Veeranarayana or Lord Vishnu. Built by King Ballala II belonging to the Hoysala dynasty, the temple portrays the varied avatars and forms of Lord Vishnu. The central shrine comprises of a huge image of the four-handed Narayana, the northern shrine comprises a huge image of Yoganarasimha and the southern shrine comprises a huge image of Venugopala or Lord Krishna with a flute.

• The Kappe Chennigaraya Temple

The Kappe Chennigaraya Temple is situated within the premises of the Veernarayana Temple and lies to the southern part of the Chennakesava Temple. The temple’s interiors are adorned with excellent carvings and sculptures that surely take your breath away. The temple was constructed by Queen Shantaladevi.

The Chennakeshava deity is decorated as Mohini by using all the ornaments worn by female goddesses. The specialty of this temple is that it attracts both devotees and tourists. The temple provides food for the devotees free of cost in the afternoons.

What to look for in Halebidu Temples

Halebidu has two landmark temples – Kedareswara and Hoysaleswara which are situated at about a distance of 1 km. which were constructed around 1121 AD have been nominated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

1. The Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva too is filled with intricate carvings and engraved sculptures. The shrine is built on an elevated star-shaped platform and displays beautiful scrollwork in stone. The Garuda Stambha is one of the many attractions of this place. The ramparts of the shrine are decorated with carvings of many gods and goddesses, birds, animals and dancing girls. The lowest design pattern of the shrine depicts about 2000 elephants along with riders, all in varied postures set amid several horses, floral motifs and mythical beasts. The beautiful carvings on the doorkeepers or Dwarpalakas as they are called have to be seen to be believed.

Besides, the statue of Nandi, bull and Lord Shiva’s chariot that are connected to the temple through a pathway are noteworthy attractions within the complex.

1. The Kedareshwara Temple

The Kedareshwara Temple which is a testimony to the Chalukyan architecture style was constructed by King Ballala II. Though the temple largely stands in ruins today its basement still exhibits a number of carvings depicting anecdotes from classic epics like the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita. The decorations on the ceiling and walls of the temple look beautiful even today.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is enshrined in the inner sanctum as a shiva linga in black stone. In addition, there is a small statue of Janardhana and Brahmalinga held in the shrine.

Other places to visit near Halebidu

Other places of tourist attractions around Halebidu are Hulikere Pond, Nagareshwara Temple, Dwarasamudra lake, and Jain Basadis. These places are worth spending your time. You can also visit Somanathapura and Shravanabelagola if time permits. These two places also have carved a niche in history as worth visiting places.

Importance of a Guide during your Visit

Without a guide, you will not understand the true meanings of the sculptures at these places. Every ‘Shila Balike’ has a story behind it. A guide alone can recreate the history of years gone by and make the entire tour very interesting and enlightening.

Explaining the origin of the main sculpture pieces will itself take about 3-4 hours. Government-appointed guides are available near the temple. Engage a person who knows your language.

This is an important factor as that alone will enable you to drown in the history and intrigue of an earlier era and build impactful memories for years to come.

Shopping tip for you

As you have shown keen interest in this article, it means you are a lover of art and sculpture. Locals make carvings of small statues and artifacts which are available for sale outside the temple. Do buy them for two reasons, first it is their livelihood, second, you are encouraging local talent. Do not forget to bargain and check the quality before you buy it.

Hoysala Dynasty

After seeing these exceptional masterpieces, one will be curious about the dynasty which gifted this to us. Hoysala dynasty, which mainly ruled in Karnataka from the 10^th Century to 14^th Century, is synonymous with sculpture, bravery, and art.

They derived a unique style of sculpting by combining the Aryan and Dravidian styles. Somanatheshwara Temples, Belavadi Temple, Nuggehalli Temple and many more temples in South India are also the contributions of Hoysala rulers.

Hoysala kings were also patrons of literature and famous poets like Janna, Raghavanka, Harihara, Rudrabhatta,  created their best works under the patronage of Hoysala kings.

Summarizing

A visit to the temple towns of Belur and Halebidu is an experience of a lifetime. So if you are planning a holiday down to the southern part of India, I would advise you to set aside some time for a visit to these two interesting places.

Before you go– I hope the blog post answered some of the questions about Belur & Halebidu travel guide. Do you still have a question? Feel free to comment or rate us by clicking the 5 stars.

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