Belur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Belur ಬೇಲೂರು
skyline=Belur1.jpg
skyline_caption=Chennakeshava temple at Belur| type = town | latd = 13.1629 | longd = 75.8571
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Hassan district
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 915
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 8962| population_density =
area_magnitude= km²
area_total =
area_telephone = 08177
postal_code = 573 115
vehicle_code_range = KA-13
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Belur (Kannada:ಬೇಲೂರು) is a panchayat town in Hassan district in the state of Karnataka, India.

History

Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. Belur is located in Hassan district. According to inscriptions discovered here, it was also referred to as Velapuri.

The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple ( dedicated to Lord Chennakeshava , meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana.

There are two more shrines here that are still in use by devotees and there is a "Pushkarni" or stepped well to the right side of the main entrance. The Dravida style "rayagopuram" at the entrance which was a later addition by the Vijayanagar kings, who considered this deity as one of their "Kuladevata" or family god.

The temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It was built by king Vishnuvardhana in commemoration of his victory over the Cholas at Talakad in 1117 CE. Legend has it that it took 103 years to complete and Vishnuvardhana's grandson Veera Ballala II completed the task. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship includes elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, and sensuous dancers ("Shilabalikas"). Inside the temple are a number of ornate pillars. "Darpana Sundari" ( Lady with the mirror ) carved on walls of Belur Temple is one of major attraction in complex.

This temple along with Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu and the Jaina monuments at Shravanabelagola are being proposed as UNESCO world heritage sites.

Geography

Belur is located at coord|13.17|N|75.87|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/19/Belur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Belur] ] . It has an average elevation of 962 metres (3156 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Belur had a population of 20,225. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Belur has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 54% of the males and 46% of females literate. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

ee also

* Shravanabelagola
* Halebidu
* Somanathapura
* Hassan District
* Hoysala architecture
* Doddagaddavalli

References

External links

*
* [http://tamald.blogspot.com/2006/09/belur-temple-art-of-hoysala-dynasty.html Belur, Temple Art of the Hoysala Dynasty]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/gopalarathnam_v/sets/72057594055749931/ Photographs from Belur and Halebid]
* [http://www.lonelywanderer.com/c321894.html Photographs from Belur and Halebid]
* [http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/deccan/hoysala/belur.htm Kamat's potpourri on Hoysala Temples of Belur]