Guys, following are the Festivals of Belur, Halebid and Hassan. Just take a look on following information.
Hoysala Mahotsava :
The dance festival held at Belur and Halebid is a magnificent event. The splendid Hoysala temples with their sculpture extravaganza make the perfect venue for this culture feast.
The annual car festival at the Chennakeshava temple takes place in March/April.
The Mahamastakaabhisheka ceremony of the Bahubali statue takes place at Sharavanabelagola once in 12 years when the planets are in a particular trajectory. The priests scale up a giant scaffolding and pour hundreds of pots containing sacred water, ghee, milk, jewels, gold and silver coins.
Shopping :
Belur and Halebid have no major shopping attractions. Small momentos of stone carvings can be purchased near most tourist destinations.
Guys, here are some attractions and excursion all you must see and visit at Halebid.
Kedareshvara Temple :
This small temple was built by Veeraballala and his consort Abinava Ketala Devi in 1219 A.D. It has three super structures over the shrines. The temple has large number of sculpted friezes showing the marching elephants, charging hore, lion, mythical animals, etc. There are stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwad Gita in a large sculptured band. The temple has been praised as 'gem of Indian Architecture' some 200 centuries ago.
Jain Bastis, Bhatihalli (1 Km) :
The Jain Basti tempels are contemporaries of the Shiva temple. The western-most Parsvanath Temple is magnificent, with its 32 pillared pavilion. The 14 feet high image of Parsvanath, has seven hooded cobra over its head. The two other shrines of Adinatha and Shantinatha are small but elegant structures. To the northeast of the Shiva temple, lies a vast stretch of sand covered debris, of a number of temples which have been excavated recently. At the southwest corner stands the Huccheshvara temple, in obsolute ruins.
Sri Ranganatha Temple :
The figure of Sri Ranganatha temple is 5-6 ft in height and sleeps on a serpant.
Belavadi (13 kms) :
Belavadi is home to the famous Trikoota temple, where the idols of Veeranarayana, Venugopala and Yoga Narsimha are located in a single complex. It is an excellent example of Hoysala architecture.
Chatachattajalli (3 Kms) :
There is a temple here built in 1200 A.D. known as Chatteshvara Temple.
Koramangala :
6 kms from Hassan, it has a Bucheshvara Temple built in 12th century.
Gorur :
10 kms from Hassan, it has Yoga Narasimha Temple built in 1586 A.D.
Kondajji :
18 kms from Hassan, it boasts of the Channakeshava statue built in 14th century.
Halebid (Hale'beedu) literally means 'the ruined city'. During the 12th and 13th centuries AD, it flourished as the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty for about 150 years. It was then known as Dwarasamudra (gateway to the seas). However, it was twice attacked by invaders who robbed it of its treasures, leaving behind the ruins of the once-magnificent Shiva temple. The Hoysalas then shifted their capital to Belur, leaving behind Halebid, a city once grand and since reduced to proverty and ruins.
Hoysaleshvara Temple :
The temple, perched on a starshaped base amidst lawns, is a sculptural extravaganza. Its walls are richly carved with an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds and friezes depicting the life of Hoysala kings. The building of the temple was started in 1121 A.D. by ketamalla, a general of king Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Dynasty. There are two shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva as Hoysaleshvara and Shantaleshvara. These Gods are in the shape of Linga.
Museum :
There is a museum on the lawns of the temple with 12-13th century, sculptures and the gold coins in use at that time.
Nandi :
Outside the temple, there is a sculpture of Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva, and the hillock where the palace stood connected to the temple by a passage.
Guys, it is an interesting tale of how the Hoysala Dynasty got the name. It is said that 'holy Sala', meaning 'strike Sala!' were the words called out to Sala, the legendary head of this dynasty. He was involved in armed combat with a tiger. Sala immortalised himself and the tiger by single-handedly killing the beast. This tale of heroism inspired the royal emblem of the Hoysala Dynasty, also to be found in the temple carvings. Hoysala architecture has its roots in today's Chikamagalur District in Karnataka. The ancient artists developed a new style of temple architecture and conceived their shrines as star shaped structures (Vesara style) as opposed to the usual cubical form, set upon raised platforms. The Hoysalas built for their age but also for the ages to come. In their 300 years of rule, the entire area was so saturated with religious establishments that it restricted the succeeding dynasties from building more. The temples at Belur and Halebid are the cream of what remains of the Hoysala Dynasty. The most photographed and perhaps the best there ever were, they are a must on every tourist's itinerary.
BELUR :
Belur was once the capital of a powerful empire, the Hoysala Kings, on the banks of River yagachi, its now called teh Banaras of the South, aka Dakshina Varanasi.
Chennakeshava Temple :
It is Belur's main temple, Chennakeshava is dedicated to Lord Krishna and set in a compound with several smaller temples and a pond. It was commissioned by Kind Vishuvardhana in 1117 AD to celebrate hoysala military victories, it took over a hundred years to complete and its architecture is foreign to the prevailing Hoysala style of the 12th century. It is exceptionally large (about 100-ft high) and it features rich embellishments with a magnificent gateway tower gopuram - in Dravidian style.
It is delicate in tis fillgree work, with the added attraction of bracketed figures of celestial dancers, called Madanikas (and exclusive to Belur) and an innumerable variety of intricate pillars. Contrary to Indian tradition, these Hoysala sculptors signed their work at this temple.
At the entrance, facing the temple stands the winged figure of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's carrier. On the frieze, around the walls outside are 650 charging elephants all different from each other. In front of the shrine, there is a beautiful statue of Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana.
Hoysala Architecture :
Art and music were regarded highly by the Hoysalas. The most marvelous specimens of Hoysala architecture, found exclusively at Belur, are the angeled bracket figures depicting celestial nymphs. The beautiful and expressive nymphs are depicted singing, dancing or executing daily chores. They are adorned with a wealth of detail in their make up, jewellery and coiffures. From the study of the sculptures it is observed that during the Hoysalas region, female participation in the public affairs was very prominent.
The Hoysalas first converted to Jainsim and then to Hinduism. Its clearly depicted in their temples where one can see the images of Jain, Shaivite and Vaishnavite.
Veeranarayana Temple :
This temple is situated to the west of the Chennakesava Temple. It has numerous finely carved figures of various Hindu Gods.
Channigaraya Temple :
In the huge walled court at Belur, this temple also contains splendid pieces of sculpture.
In the same premises there are Soumyanayaki Temple and andal Temple. The most striking features of the Hoysala shrines, is the high pilnthed, star-shaped platform, on which the temples have been built.
Guys, before moving to Karnataka, we have to know some general information about Climate and wearings.
Climate :
Summer - Max. 35OC and Min. 20OC Winter - Max. 28OC and Min. 14OC
Languages : Kannada and English
STD Code : 08177
How to reach at Belur :In terms of connectivity, both the destinations are well defined by all means of transport be it air, rail or road.
By Air :The nearest airport is Mangalore 154 kms which is well connected through Indian Airlines flights to Bangalore, Mumbai, Madras and other major parts of the country.
By Rail :The nearest railhead is Hassan 40 kms which is linked with Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Arisikere, etc.
By Road :Belur is well connected by road with Bangalore 222 kms, Hassan 40 kms, Mysore 155 kms, Halebid 16 kms, Shravanabelagola 86 kms and other important places Private vehicles are also available from Hassan.
How to reach at Halebid :
By Air : The nearest airport is Mangalore 184 kms.
By Rail :Hassan is the nearest railhead 31 kms.
By Road :Halebid is well connected by road. Regular bus services connect it with Hassan 30 kms, Arsikere 45 kms and other places.
Where to Unpack :
In terms of local hospitality and accommodation, you can expect comfortable and value for money options in all price categories at these destinations. For specific and detailed information or assistance, however, do contact your approved travel agents or nearest India Tourism / State Tourism Office.
Guys, let's move with me on the trip of Karnataka's most strategic cities, Belur and Halebid. Belur and Halebid were two strategic capitals of the Hoysalas, where stones weave a spell. The enchanting perfume of sandal and agarbattis (incense sticks), the aroma of fresh, roasted coffee beans, the heady fragrance of the "Mysore Mallige" and a thousand roses blooming...Karnataka is land of Fragrance. A relaxed length of the Arabian sea coastline, the majestic rocks of the Deccan, thick, lush tropical forests, an unimaginable variety of trees, plants flowers, animals and birds. And above all, a sense of history and culture that is enriching.
What the Parthenon is to Greece and the pyramids to Egypt, the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid are to Karnataka architecture. Belur and Halebid are 16 kms apart, but they have always been referred to in one breath, as belonging together. Yet. upon visiting them, the tourist realizes that the two, though built by the same school (Jakkanna Achari is credited as the architect), are quite different in appearance.
These temples have become rich repositories of ancient Hindu culture, with several thousand of visitors from all over India and overseas coming to witness their intricate and distinctive architectural style.
Both temples are masterpieces, with horizontal friezes, sculptured in succession from the bottom, Stories from the Puranas, the upanishads and other mythological sources have been executed in most exquisite and authentic detail, as have tales from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Each work has significance, a tale to tell.
