Belur: Intricate Carvings of a Powerful Empire

Belur was the first capital of the Hoysala kingdom (10^th to 14 ^th century AD). The powerful empire of Hoysalas covered parts of modern-day Karnataka and stretched to the adjoining regions of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. During their long rule, they had developed their unique style of temple-architecture. And to get a peek into their architectural style, visitors from across the globe visit Belur where the centre of attraction is the Chennakeeshava Temple. This beautifully sculpted temple was built by Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD. The inspiration behind building this exquisite monument was their victory over the powerful Cholas.

Note: At the end of the post there is a video of Chennakeshava Temple.

Chennakeshava Temple of Belur

A temple on a raised platform in Chennakeshava temple complex at Belur — Picture Credit: Akshatha Inamdar

Magnificent sculptures on the exteriors of Chennakeshava Temple — Picture Credit: Akshatha Inamdar

Intricate carvings on exteriors of Chennakeshava Temple — Picture Credit: Akshatha Inamdar

Following is a 3-min video on Chennakeshava Temple of Belur:

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