Significance of Belur Temple
The ancient temples in Karnataka’s Hassan district are architectural marvels. The Chennakesava Temple in Belur is one of the most magnificent specimens of Hoysala architecture (Also Chennakeshava). The Temple was erected in the early twelfth century by the Hoysala prince, Vishnuvardhana, when Belur was the Hoysala kingdom’s capital.
The Hoysalas dominated the region for further than three centuries, and people from all over the area still travel to the Chennakesava Temple in Belur to appreciate the complex works of art and sculpture and to experience the site’s old-world spiritual allure.
(Image Credit: Karnataka Tourism)
The Chennakeshava Temple was a central point of the Hoysala monarchy. King Vishnuvardhana built it in 1117 AD, firmly tying it to his military successes. The monarch launched battles against the Western Chalukyas and vanquished the Cholas. After recruiting the top architects and artists in the country, the team erected the Temple and participated in creating new ideas and forms that became the complex’s trademark.
Architecture
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur, like the other sites of Hassan, is regarded as one of the pinnacles of architectural achievement during the Hoysala era. A massive raja gopuram or gateway arches above the entrance to this immense structure. The Temple’s centerpiece sits in the center, heading east, reflecting the most common orientation of the temple building.
The Kappe Chennigaraya shrine lies to the Temple’s right, while a smaller temple devoted to a Laxmi reincarnation, the deity Sowmyanayaki, is somewhat behind the two. The Ranganayaki temple has its location to the left of the Chennakeshava temple.
(Image Credit: Pixabay)
The temple complex has two elaborate pillars, one with a Garuda and one with a light. During the Vijayanagar period, someone constructed the former, and during the Hoysala period, someone built the latter. The Chennakesava temple is made of soapstone and has a very intricate finish based on a typical Hoysala-style plan. The Hoysala dynasty built the Temple, which stands out among other temples due to its size and is considered one of the dynasty’s earliest works. The Temple reaches 37 meters in height at its tallest point. Intricate artwork depicting dancing females in various poses covers the outside walls of the Temple.
The Temple’s pillars include some of the greatest detailing and finishes of sculpture and artwork in the complex. One of the most well-known temple pillars is the Narasimha pillar. There are 48 pillars in all, each one distinctively carved and adorned. The four central pillars, which represent madanikas or celestial damsels, were hand chiseled by artists. The madanikas are in various attitudes, some popular with visitors and art fans, such as the lady with a parrot and the huntress.
Visitors interested in studying the minutiae of the Temple’s wall sculptures will uncover several references and renderings of critical events from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. A close inspection would reveal subtle eroticism buried within the elaborate representations. Artists frequently depict horses, elephants, and lions in wall sculptures.
Historical Facts
According to historians, the doors of the Temple’s mandapa depict a Hoysala ruler slaying, whether a tiger or a lion. This image may symbolize the decline of the Chola dynasty, as the tiger is commonly known as their royal emblem. There are numerous additional significant statues throughout the Temple’s enormous compound. Some of them include the Gajasura Samhara (sculpture of Lord Shiva), a statue of Ravana, Durga slaying Mahishasura and many others. There are also other tiny shrines at the Temple’s entrance.
Another intriguing aspect of these numerous sculptures is the autographs left by the period’s artists, which provide us with more insights into the lives and society of the Hoysala period. The significance and cultural impact of the Hoysala Dynasty on Karnataka is enormous. A visit to this dynamic state would only be complete with viewing the architectural grandeur, intricate details, and unique styles of the Chennakeshava Temple. This complex of structures marked 900 decades of existence and has witnessed numerous faces and strata of Karnataka’s history.
The Hoysalas built their buildings out of soft soapstone because it was perfect for detailed carvings. The Temple is on a platform or Jagati and has surrounded by a Prakara with a Gopura constructed in the Vijayanagar style. This masterpiece’s excellent craftsmanship and talent are astounding. In recent years, the Hassan region has evolved as one of Karnataka’s most important political and economic centers. Belur, within a half-hour drive from Hassan, is now noted solely for its historical significance. Those who haven’t heard of it will pass it on the way to Chikmagalur on the highway. According to all reports, it is a run-down town.
Recommended Articles
We hope that this EDUCBA information on “Belur Temple” was beneficial to you. You can view EDUCBA’s recommended articles for more information,
