hassan

Belur is one of the most popular destinations in Karnataka. Located in the Hassan district, this temple town is 220 kms away from Bangalore. Set on the banks of the river Yagachi, Belur is also known as the Benaras of the South or the Dakshina Benaras a reference to the numerous temples that dot its landscape. Historically, Belur is significant because it was the capital of Hoysala Empire. 16 kms away from Belur is the ancient city of Halebid, which was also the capital of the Hoysalas. The two cities are famous examples of Hoysala architecture and are often clubbed together during tours. The grandest temple complex in Belur is undoubtedly Chenna Kesava Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is remarkable for its towering gateway that looms large in its height. The temple has innumerable sculptures which are so vibrant that they seem to come alive. The temple exemplifies the beauty of South Indian architecture. Legend has it that the complex took more than a century to be completed. Other important sights to see at Belur include the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagadavalli and the Jain monuments at Shravanabelgola.
 

Halebidu, literally meaning The Old City, was once the glorified royal capital of the Hoysala kingdom. During the older days, it was known as Dwarasamudra which meant entrance to the ocean. Located in Hassan district about 184 kms from the capital city of Bangalore and about 118 kms from the cultural capital of Mysore, this city enjoyed its royal glory during the 12th century. The city was later termed as Halebidu after it was ransacked twice by the Bahmani sultan.
 

Belur is one of the most popular destinations in Karnataka. Located in the Hassan district, this temple town is 220 kms away from Bangalore. Set on the banks of the river Yagachi, Belur is also known as the Benaras of the South or the Dakshina Benaras a reference to the numerous temples that dot its landscape. Historically, Belur is significant because it was the capital of Hoysala Empire. 16 kms away from Belur is the ancient city of Halebid, which was also the capital of the Hoysalas. The two cities are famous examples of Hoysala architecture and are often clubbed together during tours. The grandest temple complex in Belur is undoubtedly Chenna Kesava Temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is remarkable for its towering gateway that looms large in its height. The temple has innumerable sculptures which are so vibrant that they seem to come alive. The temple exemplifies the beauty of South Indian architecture. Legend has it that the complex took more than a century to be completed. Other important sights to see at Belur include the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagadavalli and the Jain monuments at Shravanabelgola.
 

The 17.5 mts high statue of Gomateshwar will be visible long before you reach the town of Sravanabelagola. The statue, which dates back to 978 AD, stands testimonial to the fact that Sravanabelagola has been one of the most important Jain pilgrimage spots over the ages. Sravanabelagola literally means the Monk of the White Pond. The statue is the world's largest monolithic structure and is carved from a single stone. Apart from the statue, Sravanabelagola also offers some other glimpses into the past. King Chandragupta Maurya, weary after years of battle and court intrigues, is said to have sought the peace and tranquillity of the hills at Sravanabelagola. He played an important role in the spread of Jainism in south India. Sravanabelagola attracts a lot of history buffs as inscriptions dating back from 600 to 1830 can be found here. There are about 800 such inscriptions which describe the rise of the various dynasties like the Ganga, Hoysalas and the Wodeyar. These written records give a sense of life in the ancient ages.