Belur (IPA: [beːluːru] (Kannada: ಬೇಲೂರು) is a Town Municipal Council and taluka in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. The town is renowned for its Chennakesava temple, one of the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship. Beluru was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri. Belur Temple Architecture. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakeshava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakeshava, meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana. The first moulding were the temple wall meets the jagati (platform) around the temple is made up entirely of a frieze of elephants There are two more shrines here that are still in use by devotees and there is a Pushkarni or stepped well to the right side of the main entrance. The Dravida style rayagopuram at the entrance which was a later addition by the Vijayanagar kings, who considered this deity as one of their Kuladevata or family god. Belur, Hassan, Karnataka, India

• published: 15 Aug 2013
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