Exploring Karnataka's Cultural Gems: Belur, Halebidu, Somnathpura, and Sravanabelagola

Belur, Halebidu, Somnathpura, and Sravanabelagola are four interesting destinations in Karnataka that are rich in history and architecture. Each of these places is a unique piece of India's cultural heritage and is one of the must-see places in the state.

Belur

Belur is a city in Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is known for its beautiful temples and rich history. It was built in 1163 AD by a minister of King Narasimha of the Hoysala Empire. It is believed that it took about 103 years to build this star-shaped temple. The main attraction of Belur is the Chennakeshava Temple, a 12th-century temple famous for its exquisite stonework and sculptures. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture.

Apart from the Chennakeshava temple, there are several other temples in Belur that are worth visiting. Kappe Chennigaraya Temple, Veera Narayan Temple, and Andal Temple are among the other popular temples in Belur. 

The Star-shaped 'Belur' Temple

Halebidu

Halebidu is a small town about 17 km from Belur. Halebidu was the capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is known for its exquisite Hoysala architecture and is home to Hoysaleshwar Temple and Kedareshwar Temple. The Hoysaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its exquisite carvings and sculptures. The temple is also famous for two large Nandi idols.

Another famous temple in Halebidur is the Kedareshwar temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its unique architecture and fine stone carvings (sculptures). There are several small temples dedicated to various deities within the temple premises.

Sculpture at 'Halebidu' Temple

Somnathpura

Somnathpura is a small village located in the Mandya district of Karnataka. It is best known for the 13th-century Chennakeshava Temple, which is considered one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its exquisite carvings and sculptures.

The Chennakeshava temple at Somnathpura is famous for its three sanctums, each with a separate entrance. The temple is known for its remarkable stone carvings, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology.

Shravanabelagola

Sravanabelagola is a small town in the Hassan district of Karnataka which is a notable Jain pilgrimage site. It is known for the 58 feet tall monolithic statue of Lord Gommateshwara, also known as Bahubali. This idol was made by cutting a piece of granite. This statue is considered to be one of the largest monolithic statues in the world.

Apart from the statue of Lord Gommateshwara, there are several other Jain temples and shrines in Shravanabelagola which are worth visiting. Kattale Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, and Odegal Basadi are some of the popular temples in Shravanabelagola.

Lord 'Gommateshwara' (Bahubali) monolithic statue

Belur, Halebidu, Somnathpura, and Sravanabelagola are four extraordinary destinations in Karnataka that continue to bear witness to India's ancient history, architecture, and sculptures. Each of these places offers a unique glimpse of India's cultural heritage and is worth a visit.

These places can be easily visited from Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state. Under the supervision of Karnataka Tourism, it is convenient to visit these places in a day from Bangalore by AC Volvo bus.