Belur is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Karnataka. It is known all over the world for its amazing and unique buildings.
One of the perfect ways to spend a day off for people who live in the state capital, Bangalore, is to drive 220 kilometers to Belur. On the bank of the Yagachi River is a small town called “Dakshina Banaras.”
It is also a famous Hindu pilgrimage site that many Hindus visit yearly for religious reasons and to see the beautiful places in Belur and Halebid. The best time to go to Belur is from October to March, which is winter.
8 Places To Visit In Belur
1. Chennakesava Temple
This old temple is just 500 meters from the Belur Bus Station and is one of the best places to see in town. Historians say this majestic temple built in 1117 A.D., after 100 years.
The whole front of this holy shrine carved out of soft soapstone in a very detailed way. One of the best place to visit in Belur is the Chennakesava Temple, full of beautiful carvings and stone sculptures.
The great King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Dynasty built this impressive building. It is a temple to Lord Vishnu, the universe’s protector.
The entrance to the temple is a grand 100-foot-tall gateway, and inside the temple is a Lord Vishnu statue that is 6 feet tall. Most visitors see the 645 elephant carvings, Madanakai damsels, Navarang carvings, and scenes from the Puranas, Upanishads, Ramayana, and Mahabharata epics.
2. Yagachi Dam – Places To Visit In Belur
Yagachi Dam is an excellent place for locals and tourists to go on the weekend because it has a lot of greenery and nice evening air. It’s also one of the best places in Belur to get your body, mind, and soul back in shape.
The dam is built on the River Yagachi, which flows into the River Kaveri. It’s only 10 km from the city’s center and 2.5 km from the Belur Bus Stand.
Yagachi Dam is a gravity dam made of earth. It was built in 2001 and stands 26 meters tall and 1280 meters long.
It is 965 feet above sea level. In addition, the Yagachi Water Adventure Sports Center built in the dam’s backwaters to attract people.
The thrilling and exciting water sports like cruise boats, banana boat rides, kayaking, jet skiing, and speed boats are some of the best things about this fascinating place.
3. Halebidu
Since they are only 17 kilometers apart, Belur and Halebidu are like twin cities. Therefore, Halebidu consider one of the best places in Belur, Karnataka.
In the 12th century, it was the royal capital of the lavish Hoysala Dynasty. People like the intricate Hoysala architecture, the detailed temples, the unique sculptures that look polished with metal, and much more.
Halebidu, also called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, has two Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, two Jain basadis, and an archeological museum. These are the main attractions of the temple complex.
King Vishnuvardhana erected Hoysaleswara Temple on a star-shaped platform in 1121 AD. This temple has outstanding Hindu mythological artwork of animals, birds, and dancers.
4. Doddagaddavalli – Places To Visit In Belur
Doddagaddavalli, 25 kilometers from Belur, is another popular place to visit. The beautiful temple of Lakshmi Devi is what brings most people here.
This temple built in the 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana. It is a rare piece of architecture.
The temple is in perfect shape, and you can see it from the road from Belur to Doddagaddavalli.
The Lakshmi Devi Temple surrounded by lush greenery and a sparkling body of water, making it a must-see for tourists. There are tall statues of the Hindu gods Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu, and Kali in the inner sanctum.
5. Belavadi
Belavadi, located only 27 kilometers from Belur, is an excellent Karnataka getaway. It is mainly known for the beautiful Sri Veera Narayana Temple, a place of worship for many people.
The Hoslaya style was used to build the temple in the 13th century. The intricate carvings on the wall are proof of this.
A myth says that Bheema killed Bakasura here to keep the villagers safe from the demon.
6. Kedareswara Temple
This is one of the most well-known temples in Belur. It is made out of black stone and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple was built in the Chalukyan style around 1319 AD. In the temple’s basement, some sculptures show scenes from the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita.
7. Archaeological Museum
This open-air Museum in Halebid has many sculptures, displays, inscriptions, and other things. All of these show Indian art at different shows in other countries.
A statue of Dancing Shiva, Nataraja, and Veena Saraswati can see inside the Museum. A beautiful bronze statue of Tirthankara stands next to it.
8. Hoysaleswara Temple
The famous Hindu temple Hoysaleswara Temple, also called Halebid Temple, was built in the 1100s. This beautiful temple is in Halebid, west of the Dwarasamudra lake.
It is known as a landmark of the Hoysala Empire. This temple, which is in South India and dedicated to Lord Shiva, consider one of the best places to visit in Belur.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Belur is a place of immense beauty and culture. From the old temples to the lush green countryside, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for spiritual enlightenment or simply a peaceful getaway, Belur has something to offer. With its incredible visuals, historical significance, and vibrant atmosphere, it is one destination that should be on everyone’s “must-visit” list.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your Belur holiday today!
Nayana is passionate about discovering the most magnificent places to visit in India! She also loves to uncover the most incredible sights and capture her experiences in her writing through TouristPanda.com.