Belur
Discover Belur
Belur is a historic town with beautiful, famous temples, some dating to the times of the Hoysala Dynasty (11th-13th centuries). It sits on the banks of the river Bhadra, that originates close to this place, and forms the junction of the Hassan - Chikmaglur and Arsikere- Mudigere highways, a.k.a Charmadi Ghat, which acts as a substitute road for descending towards the Western Coast of Karnataka. Well connected to all important cities of Karnataka. Regular buses connect Belur to Hassan (37 km) Halibeedu (16 km) Arsikere (60 km) Dharmastala (98 km) Bangalore (224 km) Belgaum (424 km) Chickmagular (27 km) Madikeri (136 km) Mysore (155 km) Shimoga (122 km) and Shravanabelagola (87 km).
What to Experience in Belur
Taste of Belur...
It is customary to serve coffee to visitors. The best coffee beans in India are grown in Karnataka and in Hassan & chikmaglur District.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe nearest airport is Mangalore (IXE) 154 km (96 mi). Well connected to all important cities of Karnataka. Regular buses connect Belur to Hassan (37 km) Halibeedu (16 km) Arsikere (60 km) Dharmastala (98 km) Bangalore (224 km) Belgaum (424 km) Chickmagular (27 km) Madikeri (136 km) Mysore (155 km) Shimoga (122 km) and Shravanabelagola (87 km). The road from Mangalore via Dharmastala- Mudigere to Belur- is a very beautiful ghat road, with many water falls, lovely hill side views and numerous tea estates. This route is a windy mountain road and appropriate time should be budgeted for it. It can pose a safety risk, so when driving, stay alert and focused throughout the ride If you are driving your car from Bangalore (233 km, about 4hr 40min): There is a parking fee to park your vehicle (or taxi) in front of the temple - which is valid for the day (true for both temples- Belur and Halebedu)....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The sites are difficult to reach by public transportation. Karnataka State Tourism Department (KSTDC) runs a Belur, Halebidu, and Sravanabelagola tour from Bengaluru and Mysuru daily April-June and Sept-Nov, and four times a week the rest of the year. There are also tours run by private operators departing almost every day. KSTDC uses a luxury four-seats-across bus while the private companies use small, bumpy (especially if sitting in the back) minibuses. Both the private company and KSTDC tours pick you up at your hotel. If you want to book the KSTDC tour make sure you book on a weekend as the Volvo buses are only available on Sat and Sun. On all the other days Non AC buses ply to these places. The following temples are open daily 7:30AM-5:30PM. Inner Sanctum of main deity is closed from 10AM-11AM, 1PM-3PM, 5PM-5:30PM. Many government-approved tour guides can be hired to show around the temple for ₹125-250. The main thing to see are the temples.
Money & Budget
As you exit the temple you may be approached by vendors stalking you and trying to sell various books, trinkets and other souvenirs. You get some nice bronze and stone statuettes that you can buy as souvenirs. There is nothing much to shop about in this temple town. It is customary to serve coffee to visitors. The best coffee beans in India are grown in Karnataka and in Hassan & chikmaglur District.
Language & Talk
Kannada is the official state language but English is also widely understood. The nearest airport is Mangalore (IXE) 154 km (96 mi). Well connected to all important cities of Karnataka. Regular buses connect Belur to Hassan (37 km) Halibeedu (16 km) Arsikere (60 km) Dharmastala (98 km) Bangalore (224 km) Belgaum (424 km) Chickmagular (27 km) Madikeri (136 km) Mysore (155 km) Shimoga (122 km) and Shravanabelagola (87 km). The road from Mangalore via Dharmastala- Mudigere to Belur- is a very beautiful ghat road, with many water falls, lovely hill side views and numerous tea estates. This route is a windy mountain road and appropriate time should be budgeted for it.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Belur
a stone structure with a statue on top of it
Belur is a town and taluk in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. The town is renowned for its Chennakeshava Temple dedicated to Vishnu, one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture and the largest Hindu temple complex that has survived from pre-14th-century Karnata-Dravida tradition. A historic site inspired by the teachings of Ramanujacharya,it has been a Vaishnava Hindu pilgrimage center since at least the 12th century. It was also the first capital of the Hoysala dynasty, before they built Dwarasamudra
Ancient Hindu temple at Belur, Karnataka. Chennakesava swami temple
AN ANCIENT TEMPLE IN INDIA
woman in blue dress sitting on gray concrete bench
Ancient sculptures adorn a temple's intricate pillars.
A very tall building sitting next to a body of water
a large white building with a dome and a large lawn in front
a large building with a tree in front of it
brown concrete statue
a stone structure with a statue on top of it
Belur is a town and taluk in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India. The town is renowned for its Chennakeshava Temple dedicated to Vishnu, one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture and the largest Hindu temple complex that has survived from pre-14th-century Karnata-Dravida tradition. A historic site inspired by the teachings of Ramanujacharya,it has been a Vaishnava Hindu pilgrimage center since at least the 12th century. It was also the first capital of the Hoysala dynasty, before they built Dwarasamudra
Ancient Hindu temple at Belur, Karnataka. Chennakesava swami temple