Monday, July 23, 2012

Belur, the Dakshina Varanasi

Historic place Belur is a small village 222 kms from Bangalore. Nearest town to this place is at at distance of 40 kms is Hassan. This village on the on banks of Yagachi river was known by name Velapuri in the olden days. During 11th and 13th century it was the capital of Hoysala Kingdom.



The rulers of Hoysala were patrons or art and architecture and they built numerous temples and monuments. Belur is known as "Dakshina Varanasi" for its temples. Chennakesava Temple Complex at containing the Chennakesava Temple is the masterpiece of the Hoysala creation. The main entrance to the Chennakesava Temple Complex is crowned by an ornate Vijayanagara style tower.



Within the complex, the main temple of Chennakesava lies in the centre, facing east. On its right is the Kappe Chennigaraya shrine, and a small Saummyanayaki (Lakshmi) shrine. On its left is an Andal shrine and Veer Narayana shrine. Apart from these shrines, there are two graceful Garuda sthambhas, or pillars, in the main courtyard. There is also what is known as "Gravity Pillar" here.



There is also a big tank known as Vishnu Samudra in the temple complex. Each and every corner of the temple is magnificently carved. Each of the carvings big or small is master pieces here. The intricate carvings and sculpture show how much Hoysalas rulers loved music and dance.


We shall explore this place more soon.

54 comments:

Cloudia said...

Warm Aloha
to you from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
<(-'.'-)>

Vee said...

Oh I can see that the carvings are very intricate and detailed all done by first rate carvers/artists.

Anonymous said...

Amazing architecture. I love visiting here because I always learn something.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Brilliant pictures!

Devilish Angel said...

Good photos...

Zuzana said...

Beautiful architecture.;) I hope one day to be able to see your beautiful country with my own eyes.;)
xoxo

R Niranjan Das said...

Belur has some brilliant hoysala architecture. So does haleibid.
Nice shots.

www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

Vineeta Yashsavi said...

Beautiful pictures with informative discription...

Lowell said...

More magnificent architecture! I like how you caught the person in the window in the first shot!

Jeevan said...

Incredible architecture and style! Wish to check this place sometime.

ashok said...

superb shots!

My name is Riet said...

very beautiful photo's once again

joanne said...

such incredible detail, such a labour of love this work must have been....and how well preserved it all is....thanx for the 'education' - I love to learn, about faraway places!

RNSANE said...

I hope I get to see this during my
next Banglore trip. Last time, we went all the way down to Mysore Palace and a temple in that area. This is lovely and should be a much shorter jaunt.

My Ruby Tuesday is at: http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2012/07/ruby-tuesday-2-delightful-indian.html

Leora said...

So much detail, so creative. Lots of energy went into those building/sculptures.

magiceye said...

Wonderful work and lovely captures

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful! I love all of intricate detail! Wonderfully captured, Rajesh! Such a lovely part of your world!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

So interesting to compare what was happening in "your world" in that century as compared to what we just visited over here from the same time...we sure are the new world -- not nearly as far advanced!

This is just lovely work here. Thank you for sharing it..

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

The carvingson this temple are so intricate and interesting!

Matkatar said...

Awesome templets!

Muñoz Bautista said...

India, an special place!!!
I would like to travel someday...
Cheera,
Maribel

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous place to explore.

Leovi said...

Nice photos of architecture, good prospects. Greetings.

Liz said...

Beautiful pics.

My entries:
Moms... Check nyo
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Fun60 said...

The architecture and sculptures are stunning.

maria said...

Amazing structures. Happy RT2!

Mine's here.

Al said...

Another incredibly historic place, wonderful photos.

EG CameraGirl said...

Marvelous details!

Roger Owen Green said...

this is BOSS!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Unknown said...

I can't get over the detail in those carvings. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

George said...

The carvings are both intricate and beautiful. The exterior of the first photo is marvelous.

Carver said...

Beautiful shots and post. I love the ornate entrance. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Kate said...

So many monuments and sculptures in India have intricate and symbolic carvings. Very historical.

New York Erratic said...

Wow. Beautiful and really interesting.

Chris H
ABC Wednesdays
B is for Orion's Belt

Maude Lynn said...

The carvings are so gorgeous!

The Poet said...

Dear friend,
Beautiful pictures indeed!! I have seen some of those shots in old Hindi movies. Thanks for sharing.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Just gorgeous! Visiting from ruby Tuesday.

SandyCarlson said...

Well, how amazing is that? These are profound photos of objects created by people who revered life.

Anonymous said...

amazingly intricate art

birth death its all the same

Eden said...

Impressive structure.

RIZALENIO said...

Beautiful sculptures as always.

P.N. Subramanian said...

Nice post. I am craving to be able to visit Belur.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful work! And when I think of what was happening (or not happening) in our country at that time, it boggles my mind. We truly are a new world (only)....

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this temple complex and the craftsmanship. We will soon explore finer details.

Anonymous said...

thats a great piece of information along with beautiful pictures..
Varansi of South .. interesting :)
well have a Belur near Kolkata as well :) The Belur Muth is popular tourist spot :)

Anonymous said...

A great Place to Explore..I have been to Hassan but never been to this place..I guess next I m in Hassan I am sure of visiting this place... :-)

Anonymous said...

I see a post like this and am reminded we are so blessed as a nation, thank you for a great share...

Anonymous said...

Nice images Rajesh btw you changed your gravatar

Arti said...

Love the intricate detailing and the open courtyard. How wonderful I get to travel to such serene and ancient places through your blog and beautiful captures. Thank you (as always).

Ranjana Jha said...

Great pics.
Thanks for sharing.

Ranjana's craft blog said...

Wow...nicely captured.

Rajesh said...

Thank you all for appreciating this masterpiece craftsmanship.

Muza-chan said...

Amazing...

NCSue said...

Such intricate workmanship - truly a work of art@
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