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Photograph by Dr Manoj C. Sindhgi, A.R.P.S.

Chennakesava Temple, Belur
(Enroute from Bangalore, 22 km before Chikmagalur)

The temples at Belur and Halebid are some of the most visited and photographed temples in South India and a part of all serious tourist itineraries.


The symbol of the Hoysala dynasty— the boy Sala killing the tiger

The famous Hoysala temple at Belur, the Chennakesava Temple, was built by King Vishnuvardhana around 1116 A.D., and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located in a large, walled temple complex, along with three smaller temples and is believed to have taken a century to complete. The gopuram, however, is said to have been constructed at a later date, probably by Krishnadevaraya, the Vijayanagar emperor.


	Sculpture, Chennakesava Temple, Belur

Like the Hoysalesvara temple, the star-shaped, perfectly proportioned Chennakesava temple is famous for its exuberant, intricate sculptural detail. Every major deity in the Hindu pantheon is said to be represented on the walls of the temple, which are covered from base to eaves with friezes and sculptures of animals, birds, warriors and apsaras. Larger panels depict scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Inside the temple are the celebrated pillars—so smooth they appear to have been turned on a lathe, and decorated with detailed sculptures. No two pillars are alike. Of special note are the 38 bracket figures of Madanikas, celestial nymphs depicted in a variety of everyday activities, and the navaranga inside the temple. Interestingly, Hoysala sculptors signed their work at this temple, an unusual break from the norm of the times.

Unlike the temples at Halebid and Somanathpur, the Chennakesava temple is a 'living temple', with religious worship carried on within it even today.

History is unclear as to what spurred these magnificent artistic and architectural efforts at Belur, Halebid and Somanathpur: it could have been to commemorate King Vishnuvardhana's conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism or to celebrate his victory in wresting Talakadu from the Cholas.