Belur

Belur is a town in Hassan district, Karnataka, India. It lies in the southern Deccan and is best known for the Chennakeshava Temple, one of the foremost examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple complex sits in the town center and dates to the early 12th century. It was commissioned during the reign of King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Empire to commemorate military successes. The principal deity is Chennakeshava, a form of Vishnu.

The architecture and sculpture are its defining features. The temple is built of soapstone and employs a star-shaped plan with a mantapa and a sanctum. The exterior walls are covered with highly detailed reliefs depicting deities, mythological scenes, dancers, and animals. Inside, numerous lathe-turned pillars and intricately carved ceilings illustrate the technical skill of Hoysala artisans. The overall composition blends expressive sculpture with astronomical and architectural refinement.

Belur is regarded as a major heritage site, illustrating the peak of Hoysala temple design alongside other monuments in the region. Today, it draws researchers and visitors for its artistry and as a window into medieval South Indian religious architecture.

The town remains a small community with an economy rooted in agriculture and tourism, with the temple as its principal landmark. Belur is accessible by road and rail from Hassan and Bengaluru, among other cities.