12.11.2023 : Belur, Hallibeedu

 12.11.23 : Belur / Hallibeedu

After early morning breakfast of Akki roti and chutney, we packed our luggage and left it in the bus and moved on from Medikeri to Belur, and Hallibeedu. 

Both Belur and Halebidu were once the capitals of the Hoysala dynasty. The Hoysala dynasty ruled most parts of Karnataka from the 10th – 14th centuries. Malik Kafur the commander of the Deccan Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khilji plundered both Belur and Halebidu in the 14th century. The Hoysala dynasty came to an end after King Ballala II was killed in war fighting the army of Malik Kafur. This region of Belur and Halebidu was then taken over by the  Vijayanagara empire.  

Being 16 kms apart from each other, Belur and Halebidu are known for the following temples:

• Chennakeshava temple
• Hoysaleswara  

Chennakeshava temple, Belur

The Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana built the Chennakeshava temple in 1117 AD. This temple took a whopping 103 years to build. This temple marks the victory of the Hoysalas over the mighty Cholas. Going by the temple name, Chenna means ‘Handsome’ and Keshava means ‘Lord Vishnu’. The temple name thus means ‘Handsome Lord Vishnu’.

This temple is famous for the exquisite carvings and sculptures. The entrance to the temple sports a golden yellow gopuram. A gopuram is a pyramid like structure in Hindu temples.

On entering the temple, a Deepa stambha and Garuda stambha are seen on the right. The height of the Deepa stambha is 35m high. 

On either side of the entrance to the main shrine are miniature shrines. Behind each miniature shrine is a Hoysala statue. The Hoysala statue symbolize the Hoysala dynasty. Going by the name (Hoysala), Hoy means ‘Strike’ and ‘Sala’ is one who killed the lion in one blow. Sala was the first ruler of the Hoysala dynasty.

There is an impressive carving of Garuda prostrating atop before entering the main shrine. The intricate carvings in addition to the Garuda is a sight to behold.

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• The churning of the ocean by the Gods and Demons 

• The demon king Ravana lifting Mount Kailash 

Hoysalesvara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, was constructed in 1121 by Ketamalla in honour of the ruling King Vishnuvandhana at Darasaumdra. The  temple complex was huge.  It was dedicated to Lord Shiva. The entrance to the temple had beautifully carved walls and also the statues therein was intricately carved.  The statue of Nandi the bull, waiting outside the Shiva temple was very huge.  

Both the temples were marvel to see, especially the intricate carvings, still intact.  From here we moved on to Chickamangular.  Chikmagalur is a hill station in Karnataka, a state in southwest India. To the north is Baba Budangiri, a mountain range in the Western Ghats, with 3 large caves said to be holy. Trails through forests and grasslands lead up to Mullayanagiri Peak.  We reached late.   Our stay was at Timber Leaf Homestay.