← Back to Catalog
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
ಚೆನ್ನಕೇಶವ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Belur, Hassan, Karnataka
Hoysala dynastyHoysalaHindu (Vaishnava)UNESCOAI Compiled
List of Most Popular Hoysala Temples in Karnataka — tusktravel.comAll copyright belongs to the original artist.
About
The Chennakeshava Temple at Belur is a 12th-century Vaishnava temple commissioned by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE to celebrate his victory over the Chola army. The temple took more than a century to complete and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas'.
The most celebrated sculptures are the madanikas — 42 female bracket figures carved to astonishing naturalism and expressiveness on the exterior niches. The interior mandapa columns are lathe-turned with exceptional delicacy.
The temple remains active, housing the presiding deity in an inner sanctum accessible to devotees.