Belur - ಬೇಲೂರು

Both belur and Halebid enjoyed the importance of being the capitals of Hoysala rulers. Vishnuvardhana, who embraced Vaishnavism, constructed five Vishnu temples, known as Pancha Narayana shrines. They are ar Belur, Melkote, Thonur, Talakkad and Gadag. The Belur shrine was constructed to commemorate his victory over the Cholas at Talakkad.
Belur in Hassan district is famous for its magnificent Hoysala Temple Complex. The Chennakeshava temple here was completed in 1116 AD by Hoysala Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Chola. It took 103 years to complete. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensuous dancers, nothing was left un-carved. The Veeranarayana temple houses the shrines of Kappe Chenniga, Andal, Saumya Nayaki, and other dieties.Belur is 222 km from Bangalore, 34 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore. This place is famous for its exquisite temples. Belur is known as Dakshina Varanasi or South Banaras for its temples. The serenity of Belur is attributed to the celebrated temple of Channakeshava, built by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 117 AD. to commemorate his conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism.