Chennakesava Temple in Belur will take you back in time.
The amazing architecture is a jewel of Hoysala architecture. The place was once a capital of the Hoysala Empire and boasts some of the most magnificent temples in India. But the crown jewel of them all is the Chennakeshava Temple, also known as the Vijaya Narayana Temple.
Legend has it that this temple took a whopping 103 years to build! As you approach the temple, you’ll be greeted by a towering Gopura and a magnificent sculpture of Garuda. And get this, you can actually swipe a piece of paper across the Gravity pillar – it’s carved out of a single rock and floats with its own weight like magic!
Once inside, prepare to be blown away by the intricate carvings and exquisite artwork. The black stone image of Lord Vijaya Narayana in the sanctum stands at an impressive 3.7 meters tall, and the prabhavali surrounding it showcases the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu, each one crafted to perfection. The lathe-turned pillars are a sight to behold, with intricate carvings and polished to a mirror-like shine. And keep an eye out for the bracket figures of the madanikas – even the water drops are chiseled to perfection!
But the real highlight has to be the Mohini Pillar. The artist left a small space blank, challenging others to do better and reminding us all that art is infinite. And speaking of infinite, this temple is proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites – and it’s not hard to see why!
But don’t just stop at Beluru. There are plenty of nearby attractions to explore, like the Mullayyanagiri Peak and the Shettihalli Church. And if you’re feeling adventurous, head to the Yagachi Dam or Sakaleshpura for some outdoor fun.
Getting to Beluru is easy – it’s 220 kilometers from Bengaluru and 155 kilometers from Mangaluru, with the latter having the nearest airport. And don’t worry about accommodations, as the KSTDC runs the hotel Mayura Velapuri just 500 meters from the Chennakeshava Temple complex.