Belur town lies in Hassan district. It reflects the glory that once had been imperative to the Hoysala Empire. Belur is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex and also boast of gravity defying structures and delicate carvings. This town is located on the banks of the river Yagachi.
Belur is known as Dakshina Varanasi or South Banaras for its temples.
The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in the tenth century by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola. It took 103 years to complete. The serenity of Belur is due to the important temples built here. One of such temples is the celebrated temple of Channakeshava, built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.
History:
The city of Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri. Halebidu was the original capital of the Hoysala dynasty. For 150 yrs they ruled from Halebidu. But after attacks buy invaders in the 14th century, the Hoysalas shifted their seat of power to Belur.
The temperature touches a maximum of 28°C and a minimum of 12° C. The weather overall is pleasant. The best time to travel is anytime between October and April.
This is an ideal tourist spot for people who have interest in ancient architecture. The exquisite temple carvings leave the visitor spellbound.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. It is better to carry adequate cash while traveling to Belur. The reason being that it is a small town and banking facilities are limited.
A tourist visa applicable for India is valid here.
Domestic Flights The nearest domestic Airports are at Bangalore (222 Kms) and Mangalore (206 Kms).
International Flight:
There are no direct flights connecting to Belur. The nearest international Airport is at Bangalore (222 Kms).
Train Travel The nearest Railhead is Hassan which is connected to other major junctions like Bangalore, Mysore & Mangalore.
·Channakeshava temple – This is the main attraction in Belur. It is dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava built by Shantaladevi, the Queen of King Vishnuvardhana. The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.
·Darpana Sundari ( Lady with the mirror ) carved on walls of Belur Temple is one of major attraction in complex
The temple of Hasanamba is opened only once a year for a week during the second Ashwayuja (October) in the nearby district of Hassan.
Every year, the temple is open for 11 days. A large number of people visit the 1,000-year-old temple on these days to have a glimpse of the deity.
.
Where To Eat:
South Indian cuisine is most popular here. Try the South Indian Thalis, Masala Dosas, Idly and the famous souths Indian filter coffee. These are available at most of the small eateries in town.
Where To Stay:
Accommodation facilities in Halebidu are limited. It is be better to stay at Hassan as it is a railhead and base for exploring nearby places like Halebidu, Belur and Sravanabelagola therefore a lot of accommodation options can be found here. If you chose to stay in Belur then Vishnu Regency is one of the best places to stay in.
