Halebid and Belur Tourism - Karnataka

Located on the banks of the Yagachi River, Halebid and Belur are known for the Hoysala temples, which are world famous for their sculptures and architecture. The twin towns are about 16 km away from each other and the distance between the two can be covered by bus, taxi, auto or even hired bicycle. The cities were the capital of the Hoysala dynasty between the 11th and 14th centuries. The Belur and Halebid temples are cut from soft stone allowing for very intricate carvings on the walls. Among the great temple complexes of South India, they are comparable to the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh.   

Sightseeing Highlights:

In Belur, one of the main attractions is the Chennakeshava temple, which is the only temple still in use for people to offer prayers. It is the most marvelous specimen of Hoysala architecture - the angled bracket figures depicting celestial nymphs are found here. Stories from the Puranas, the Upanishads and other mythological sources and tales from Ramayana and Mahabharata have been depicted in the temples. One can also visit the temples of Chennigaraya, Veeranarayana, Sridevi, and Bhoodevi, all in the same complex.