3 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
45min by bus from Hassan
When to go
From November to May
Minimum stay
One day
Belur (India)
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David Debrincat
Practical information on Belur
Reviews of Belur
At 30km from Hassan and around 16km from Halebidu, Belur is a small, isolated village in the heart of the Karnatakan countryside.
My suggestion:
Hassan, as a mid-way point between Bangalore and Mysore, is a useful base from which to visit Belur and Halebidu. But even so, you could always stay at Belur itself, as you'll get a taste of Indian rural life.
My review
I visited Belur during my world tourand I found it to be a peaceful, calm and serene little place. It's not often you find such tranquility when traveling through India.
Apart from enjoying the quiet pace of rural life, I also came here to see Belur's Chennakesava Temple. It is simply stunning and its low reliefs are incredibly well preserved. Note that the temple still holds Hindu religious ceremonies. So it's important to be respectful when worshippers are at prayer. Access is free but it's customary to tip the caretaker, who watches over your shoes that you'll need to leave at the entrance.
I highly recommend this site; a great break from the noise of the country's big towns. This is an enchanting part of the world.
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David Debrincat
The town of Belur lies around thirty kilometers to the north of Hassan and owes its fame to its Hoysala temple.
My suggestion:
Set off in the morning, examine the sculptures, enjoy a vegetarian lunch and then head straight to Halebid so see and explore its temples and compare them with what you've seen in Belur.
My review
Just between you and I, if the Chennakeshava Temple didn't exist, Belur would just be an anonymous little locality encountered when exploring Karnataka. But anyway, the temple was, the temple is and the temple will always be an architectural work that will leave adventurous travelers, eager for something new to discover, in awe.
Just so you know the story, this prized building was built to celebrate the Hoysala's defeat of the Chola dynasty in the 12th century and took 103 long years to complete. Its columns are magnificent, the dome superb, the bas-reliefs of the dancers fascinating and the demons intriguing. The statues of the gods seem more lifelike than nature and the facial expressions … human. One thing is certain about Belur: the Hoysala sculptors knew their trade.
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Sébastien Cuzol
344 travelers' photos
