BELUR in Hassan District of Karnataka, India was the capital of Hoysala Empire. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava Temple, dedicated to Chennakeshava – a Vishnu God. The temple is surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, the Queen of King Vishnuvardhana.
The Vijayanagar kings built the entrance in the Dravida style. The deity in the temple was considered by them as one of their Kuladevata (family god).
The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple was built to commemorate the King Vishnuvardhana’s victory over the Cholas at Talakad. The façade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion being left blank. The workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses and sensuous dancers. There are a number of ornate pillars inside the temple.
DARPANA SUNDARI (a Lady with Mirror) carved on the walls of Belur temple is one of the major attraction in complex.
This temple alongwith the temple in Halebidu and the Jain monument at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The workmanship of BELUR was commemorated by the India Post by Releasing a pictorial cancellation of the DARPANA SUNDARI on 2nd Jan 1978.
Contributed by K.Sridhar, Life Member. DKPNA
The Vijayanagar kings built the entrance in the Dravida style. The deity in the temple was considered by them as one of their Kuladevata (family god).
The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple was built to commemorate the King Vishnuvardhana’s victory over the Cholas at Talakad. The façade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion being left blank. The workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses and sensuous dancers. There are a number of ornate pillars inside the temple.
DARPANA SUNDARI (a Lady with Mirror) carved on the walls of Belur temple is one of the major attraction in complex.
This temple alongwith the temple in Halebidu and the Jain monument at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
The workmanship of BELUR was commemorated by the India Post by Releasing a pictorial cancellation of the DARPANA SUNDARI on 2nd Jan 1978.Contributed by K.Sridhar, Life Member. DKPNA
