Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur Karnataka and its full details

by Radha Ramesh | Mar 29, 2023

The Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur, Hassan District, Karnataka a Well-known Hindu temple also known as the Keshava, Kesava, or Vijayanarayana Temple of Belur. It was constructed in the 12th century during the Hoysala Empire and is devoted to Lord Vishnu. Belur is a popular tourist destination all year long and is also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Chennakesava Temple is built in the Hoysala style of architecture. Some of the highlights of the Chennakesava Temple include the intricate carvings on the walls and pillars, the Hoysala emblem on the ceiling of the main shrine, the Gravity pillar, the hanging bell, and the Nandi bull statue outside the temple.

Hassan City is 40 km away, and Bangalore is 220 km away. The Hindu god Vishnu has a form called Chennakesava, which translates to “handsome Kesava.”

In 1117 CE, King Vishnuvardhana ordered its construction on the Yagachi River bank in Belur, also known as Velapura, the first capital of the Hoysala Empire.

The temple took 103 years to complete and was built for three generations. Throughout its history, it has been repeatedly destroyed by war, looted, and rebuilt.

The temple is renowned for its elaborate and exquisite architecture, which features numerous carvings and sculptures. The temple’s enormous bronze bell at the entrance is one of its distinguishing features.

The bell, one of India’s most prominent and heaviest temple bells, is thought to be older than 700 years. It is roughly 2.5 meters tall and 3,500 kilograms in weight.

The bell, which has a distinct sound, is rung to signal the start and end of daily rituals and worship.

The bell, a significant component of the Chennakesava Temple’s history and culture, is frequently a point of interest for visitors.

Videos and pictures hardly do this temple justice. Although the enormous sculptures, relief panels, and friezes on the temple’s exterior walls are magnificent, the interiors’ various design features will leave you speechless.

That may be why they forbid taking pictures of the temple interiors. You must visit and verify for yourself.

Location: Belur, Hassan District, Karnataka, India.

Temple Timings: 7.30 AM and 7.30 PM.

Deity: Chennakesava( Lord Vishnu)

Table of Contents

The main attraction of the Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur is the Gravity pillar.

Visitors to this temple won’t ever miss a truly incredible architectural marvel. It concerns the 42-foot-tall anti-gravity pillar, Mahasthambha or Kartika Deepotsava Stambha.

This monolithic soapstone stampha (pillar) lacks a base or proper foundation; it is set on a star-shaped granite platform with no structural support to ensure it stands firmly.

The pillar is supported by only three of its four sides, leaving a space on the fourth. It has been standing since King Devaraaya’s reign in 1414 and shows no signs of collapsing to the ground.

A tall, heavy stone pillar remains upright without adequate support or foundation. This achievement demonstrates the Vijayanagara rulers’ architectural excellence and the architects’ astounding knowledge.

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The mystery is why this tall, heavy stone pillar has been firmly planted in its location for many centuries without exhibiting even a slight change in position.

The platform on which the pillar stands does not exhibit any signs of structural weakness in the form of cracks, despite the passage of time and seasonal climatic changes over the centuries, which is equally puzzling.

The temples at Belur, Karnataka, and Halebidu are said to be made of soft stone called soapstone, which skilled stone masons can use to carve astoundingly artistic designs.

According to legend, a British engineer attempted to move the pillar during the British colonial era to determine how it was suspended.

The entire roof began to tremble due to his attempt, and he was forced to stop because he was worried about damaging the temple.

One of the most well-known and intriguing aspects of the Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka, the pillar has remained in place ever since.

Several hypotheses have been advanced to explain how the gravity pillar operates. Some people think that the pillar is supported by a hidden metal rod or that it has been skillfully designed to distribute the weight of the roof evenly.

Others believe it is supported by a combination of magnetism and the roof’s weight.

Regardless of how it functions, the gravity pillar is still a remarkable example of the knowledge and skill of the temple’s designers and builders in Karnataka, who were able to construct such a unique structure without the aid of contemporary technology.

Legends of Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur

Legends and stories intricately entwined with the history and religious significance of the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India, are abundant.

One such legend concerns the origin of the temple’s name and the deity who serves as its patron.

The temple’s primary idol, a statue of Lord Vishnu, is said to have been created by the renowned sculptor Jakanachari.

He noticed that one of the idol’s eyes had developed a lifelike quality and appeared to be tracking his movements as he was carving it.

This inspired him to give the statue the name “Chennakesava,” which translates to “handsome Kesava” (another name for Lord Vishnu).

The building of the temple itself is the subject of another legend. According to legend, King Vishnuvardhana erected the temple to mark his victory over the Cholas, a rival dynasty.

However, the temple’s foundation kept sinking into the soft ground, which made construction difficult.

Following consultation with his advisers, the king was advised to contact a saint named Ramanuja, who was revered for his spiritual abilities. Ramanuja went to the temple’s location and carried out a ritual that involved laying a Lord Vishnu mud doll on the ground.

Ramanuja declared that this was the depth at which the foundation for the temple should be set after the Lord miraculously sank into the ground to a certain depth.

Another legend says, According to legend, King Vishnuvardhana decided to build the Channa Keshava temple at Belur after having a dream about Lord Keshava while spending the night in the Baba Budan forest.

However, he unintentionally cut off the Lord’s relationship with his consort, who lived on Baba Budan Hill.

The Lord is said to visit the hills frequently to visit his consort. As a result, the community of local cobblers offers a brand-new pair of sandals to the shrine’s altar daily. The locals think that the sandals vanished after being given to the Lord.

History of Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur

The Hoysala dynasty, which ruled over some of southern India between the 11th and 14th centuries, is credited with constructing the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, Karnataka, India. The temple was built during King Vishnuvardhana’s rule in the early 12th century CE.

The Chennakesava Temple in Karnataka is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.

The Hoysalas were known for patronizing the arts and love of architecture. The temple’s construction took place over several decades, beginning in 1117 CE and lasting until the middle of the 12th century.

The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu, and Jakanachari, a renowned Hoysala sculptor, created a statue of Lord Chennakesava as the center of worship.

Numerous intricate carvings and sculptures that depict Hindu mythological scenes and representations of animals, birds, and other daily life elements are also a part of the temple’s decoration.

Various invaders damaged the temple and neglected it for a while. However, the Archaeological Survey of India undertook a significant restoration project to restore the temple to its former splendor at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Chennakesava Temple in Karnataka is now a well-known tourist destination that draws tourists worldwide and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Architecture

The Chennakesava Temple is considered one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The Hoysalas were well-known for their support of the arts and love of architecture.

Work on the temple began in 1117 CE and was completed in the middle of the 12th century, taking several decades to complete.

The main idol in the Lord Vishnu-dedicated temple is Lord Chennakesava’s statue, created by the renowned Hoysala sculptor Jakanachari.

Aside from depicting Hindu mythological scenes, animals, birds, and other elements of daily life, the temple is also decorated with many intricate carvings and sculptures.

A walled court measuring 443.5 feet by 396 feet with numerous Hindu temples and small shrines is the centerpiece of the Chennakeshava complex at Belur.

The compound is entered from the east via a Gopuram added during the Vijayanagar empire’s repairs.

The 24 forms of Vishnu appear differently at different times of the day due to the light in the Garbhagriha’s zigzag walls, which have a stellar shape.

The temple was constructed by two skilled artisans, Dasoja and Chavana, a father-son team from Balliganve, a center for Kalyana Chalukya art in the Shimoga district.

One of the sculptures in the Vavaranga, Darpana Sundari, is said to be modeled after Shantaladevi, the talented queen of King Vishnuvardhana.

The beauty of the magnificent temple is evident just from this one piece of art. Surrounding this main temple are temples dedicated to Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki, Andal, and other Vaishnava manifestations.

The renowned Kannada poet Raghavanka lived in the 13th century and is also thought to have had a samadhi at Belur Karnataka.

Various invaders damaged the temple and neglected it for a while. However, the Archaeological Survey of India undertook a significant restoration project to restore the temple to its former splendor at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Chennakesava Temple at Karnataka is now a well-known tourist destination that draws tourists worldwide and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Madanika

The Chennakesava temple in Karnataka is a fine illustration of a stonework of art of fine quality.

In the temple, there are more than 80 Madanika sculptures, which depict them dancing, hunting, or standing beneath treetops, among other activities.

Hoysala craftsmanship can be seen in the four Madanika figures (in beautiful dancing poses) on the magnificently engraved columns of Navaranga.

Pushkarni

A stepwell is Pushkarni. Step wells are a reasonably typical addition to most of India’s ancient temple monuments.

Originally used to store water, they have since evolved into architectural marvels that make for stunning pictures.

This is the first thing devotees see because it is correct at the entrance. To emphasize the significance of this location, two shrines are also symmetrically placed and have elephant carvings on the sides.

Best time to Visit

The Belur Chennakeshava temple is accessible throughout the year. Still, the rainy season and the days following it are when it appears at its most attractive because all the sculptures are then freshly cleaned by the rain, the surroundings are lush and green, and the skies are dramatic.

Festival Celebrated

Paush purinma

Duserra

Makara sankranthi

How to reach Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur

To get to Belur, there are two ways. The Bangalore – Shimoga highway is used for one, and the Bangalore – Hassan highway for the other.

By Air: The nearest airport to Belur is the Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, approximately 222 km away. You can hire a taxi or take a bus to Belur from there.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Belur is in Hassan, approximately 40 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Belur.
By Bus: Belur is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka. You can take a bus from Bangalore, Mangalore, Mysore, or Hassan to Belur.

Once you reach Belur, you can hire a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to get to the Chennakesava Temple Karnataka, located in the town’s center.

Nearby attractions:

Halebidu: Halebidu is a small town located about 16 km from Belur, known for its ancient Hoysala temples, including the Hoysaleswara Temple Karnataka, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shravanabelagola: Shravanabelagola is located about 50 km from Belur Karnataka, known for its giant monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, considered one of the tallest free-standing statues in the world.
Chikmagalur: Chikmagalur is a scenic hill station about 50 km from Belur, known for its coffee plantations, scenic landscapes, and trekking trails.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area about 80 km from Belur, known for its diverse flora and fauna, including tigers, leopards, elephants, and several species of birds.
Hassan: Hassan is a historic town about 35 km from Belur, Karnataka, known for its ancient temples, including the Hoysaleswara Temple, the Shantaleswara Temple, and the Kedareswara Temple.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Mysterious temple Chennakesava Belur is a significant cultural and architectural heritage site in India. It is an exceptional example of Hoysala art and architecture, and its intricate carvings and sculptures are a testament to the skill and creativity of the artisans who built it.

The temple is an important pilgrimage site and attracts tourists worldwide who admire its beauty and learn about its rich history. In short, Visiting the Chennakesava temple in Karnataka is like an Eye festival to the devotees which can make your trip worthy and Happy.