chennakesava temple

Such a nice place to see Hoysala architecture.A must visiting place.Architecture of the temple will simply blow your mind.Devote atleast 1-2 hours while you are in Belur to explore the architecture on the temple walls.One more good thing is that guides are govt approved and give a good view of the temple's history.

The Chennakesava Temple, Belur (along with Shravana belagola & Halebidu) was on my travel list from long time but couldn't plan since i didn't find anyone interested in heritage places like this. Finally i planned solo trip and booked bus tickets with KSTDC 1 day tour. KSTDC run non-AC bus on this route. The bus goes first to Jain Temple, Shravana belagola (Read my review) and then moves on via Channanaryanpatna to Belur. It took 2 hrs to reach Belur from Shravana belagola. The Chennakesava temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu Mohini Avtaar to destroy Bhasmasur demon and built by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhan. The temple has a big & beautiful courtyard. The temple is built from soft blackstone and has got intricate carvings, beautiful idols on the ceiling and walls, 48 pillars on which temple structure rests. The pillars were said to be movable until an earthquake locked them.This temple is now proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site by the Government of India. One can hire a guide if coming by personal vehicle, however KSTDC tours provide guide by default.Outside the temple, vendors are selling wooden toys, brass items (authenticity not sure).Hotel Mayura Velapuri is a decent place for food/lodging/bar located on temple road.Overall one should not miss this place since temples of Hoysala kingdom are very rich in artistic beauty & splendor and are worth a visit.

Excellent curving in ancient temple with awesome architectureWhat to see---------------1) Excellent curving2) Nice stone work (statue and deities)3) Calm and peace place4) No transportation problem, walk-able distance from bus stop5) Beautiful courtyardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belur

A must visit place if you have interest in Indian history. The carving of the temple are so beautiful that TajMahal is nothing infront of these temples.This temple is dedicated to Mohini roop of Lord Vishnu. Chennakesava means beautiful Keshav. The temple has a beautiful courtyard. That has an ancient light house. That was used in acient times to help lost people to find their way to the temple at night. It housed a orphanage, hospital, school, ashram for travelers and food for needy. In those days temple were mean for welfare of common people, this temple speaks of those glorious days of ancient Indian civilization. Otherwise too temple is beautiful, full of carving. They say the pillars that holds this temple were movable until they got locked due to an earth quack. The carvings of this temple are dedicated to dancers, no two carvings are same. In my opinion all the temples of ancient Hoysala kingdom are worth a Visit. There is no good lodging in the Belur city but these are some good stay in a radius of 20 km.

This is a nice temple complex with well carved buildings but not as impressive as others in India. If you're in Hassan it's a nice day trip to combine Belur and Halebid but I wouldn't plan your trip around them.

Excellent huge temple but more of an archaeological site. Nice big temple, excellent carvings and architecture. There is a very small hotel just outside the temple with only 10 ppl can sit. Never miss the puliyogare, idli, poori and vada for breakfast in that hotel.

It's a must visit to the Chennakesava temple if you are passing via Hassan. The Hoysala architecture and the stone carvings are intricate and superb.

Just but visiting this temple you will understand how majestic the art works of Indians about 100 years ago.Beautiful sculptures and I doubt whether any one in modern era can replicate these amazing statues.Every statue , every pillar and every pose is unique. Prime example for Hoysala architecture.This place can be covered as day trip from bangalore or one can stay at Hassan or Chikmangalur if you want to have relaxed trip.

Belur is another attraction of similar kind after Halebid Temple.I will recommend to go to Halebid first and then come to Belur, as I find it somewhat in sequel somehow. But both of these attractions are must visit.You will be amazed by the imagination of sculptures and attention to details so much so that they have taken care of wrinkles in a bent neck or to show the expressions on the statues revealing the situation they are in.It is truly an amazing place and I will love to visit it again.

As you hit the Belur town, turn right at the intersection and then continue on the left fork. there is adequate parking all around the temple which is free so don't bother leaving your car way behind. lots of stone carving work available in this area but you will have to bargain. Temple architecture and design is surely worth a detailed tour.

Channakeshava temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala Architecture. A must visit place for those interested in history and architecture. Do not miss it at any cost.

The Chennakesava temple is breathtaking. A must visit. It is a working temple and it carries with it the spiritual energy along with the great carvings and mythological stories and deities on the temple walls. A pleasure to visit. It is not so busy so you can experience in comfort.

Most visitors who go here - also visit Halebidu. Although the outside sculptures in Halebidu appear 'much' .............the sculpture in Belur is very exquisite and majestic. They have taken it to a different level altogether. Its a photographers paradise.

This might the only worthwhile attraction in Belur but it is definitely one of the most important pieces of architecture in India. The intricate carvings, the attention to detail, and the truly grand scale of the temple are spell binding. Notwithstanding the vandalism this temple seems to have undergone, people seem to have woken up to the fact that the Chennakesava Temple is not only a means of livelihood but also part of their culture. Please visit this place and take your kids along to teach them that the values of handwork, perseverance, and skill and talent endure the times.

chennakeshava is hte deity - the Vishnu temple built by the hoysala after king Vishnuvardhana took up vaishnava cult. This temple was sculpted by the famous jakanacharya.in 12 th century. It has the tall gopura and wonderful sculpture You need a guide to explain and spend atleast 4 hrs Belur is 37 km form hassan