Chennakesava Temple, Belur

Chennakesava Temple

Belur, Karnataka

आकाशात् पतितं तोयं यथा गच्छति सागरम् ।

सर्व देव नमस्कार: केशवं प्रति गच्छति ॥

Like every drop of water falling from sky goes to Ocean, each prayers offered reaches Keshava.

Chennakesava temple Belur, was originally the capital of the Hoysala Kingdom. King Vishnuvardhana built the temple which was originally named Vijayanarayana Temple. Hoysala time is considered as a golden period because of their influence on art & architecture.

Temple is dedicated to Mahavishnu who is Chennakesava here, meaning very beautiful Kesava. Locally referred to as Kalasagar for its fine sculptures each bhavas are exactly reflected in the Murthy. Temple is star shaped structure called Jagati, which is said to have taken around 103 years to build.

Temple was built as an important military victory by King Vishnuvardhan over the Cholas. The overhead panel on the main door to the temple depicts the ten avatars of Mahavishnu. The large Navrang Mandapa is with highly polished and beautiful 48 pillars and ceilings.

The Ugra Narasimha, tearing up Hiranyakashipu's stomach is Carved on walls.
Two pillars on either side of the door had lathe work. The Narasimha Pillar of here used to actually rotate. Vishnu Padam is also seen here. There is also a Gravity pillar carved out of a single rock.

Jai Shri Hari