A Quest For Historical Architecture And Scenic Splendours In The Lost City Of Halebidu

1. Belur

P.C: Dineshkannambadi

Belur, the twin place of Halebidu, lying against the banks of the river Yagachi in the Hassan District of Karnataka, boasts of exquisite temples which reflect the exemplary artistic taste and technique of temple builders of the yore. This small town was the capital of the mighty Hoysala empire and their craftsmanship genius and the finesse in engineering can still be witnessed in the temples that stand here today.

The temple walls are replete with intricate detailed work of the sculptures and carvings exhibiting the rich culture and traditions of the old days. Some of the important shrines that are located here include the Chennakesava Temple and Kappe Chennigaray, both of which are exemplary Dravidian pieces of architecture. Legend has it that it took nearly 103 years to complete the construction of the magnificent Chennakesava Temple. Visit this destination for a glorious peek into the Hoysala engineering genius.

2. Yagachi Dam

P.C: Rj1979

The Yagachi Dam, built by the damming of the river Yagachi, is a major tourist attraction among the locals and the tourists alike. The dam stretches over a vast area and there is clean pristine water as long as the eye can see. With its serene beauty, the dam is untouched by plastic waste.

The dam's striking milieu bestowed with the stunning panoramic view of the Yagachi river is beyond description. Some interesting activities to try out for that much-needed adrenaline rush are the banana boat ride, cruise boat, speed boat, kayaking, jet skiing and so much more.

3. Hoysaleswara Temple

P.C: Akshatha Inamdar

Rich in art and architecture, the town of Halebidu is home to the famous Hoysaleswara Temple, a 12th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This architectural marvel is known as one of the three most notable monuments of the ancient Hoysala empire, also deemed as the largest monument dedicated to Lord Shiva in the southern peninsula; it is proposed to be listed under the UNESCO world heritage sites.

The Hoysaleswara Temple was built by Ketumalla and is attributed to the then ruler and his queen, Vishnuvardhana and Shantala. This architectural marvel is built of soapstone and is guarded by a monolithic Nandi. The walls of the temple are adorned with a legacy of stories and legends from the Hoysala period. Its extremely elaborate walls boast of the intricate carvings and sculptures of various Gods and brave Hoysala soldiers.

The temple attracts tourists in droves from all over the world. The charm of this architectural grandeur now remains in ruins because of the Mughal invasion in the late 14th century. Explore the remaining fragments of this Hoysala magnificence scattered all around the place.

4. Basadi Halli

P.C: rusticus80

The Basadi Halli (or Jain temples) is an elaborate housing of three Jain temples of lord Parshwanatha, Adinatha and Shantinatha. The rulers of the 12th century followed Jainism, and despite the fact that Halebidu is home to many Shiva temples, the Jain temples in the town are at par with the architectural grandeur and brilliance of the Hindu temples. The temples are the epitome of finest craftsmanship with exquisitely carved 12 pillars dotting the temples and the 14-ft-high Parshwanatha Swamy figure made completely out of black stone. The temples are known for their highly polished pillars that almost look like as if they are mirrors.