Our own Belur/Halebidu, Miniature one, just 50 km from Pune.

 Chennakeshava temple at Belur and Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebidu (both in Karnataka are world-famous temples built in around 1200 AD. Their fame comes from intricate carvings found on the inside and outside walls of these temples. Belur is about 750 km from Pune.

But to see the beautiful carvings shown below, one need not go that far, we have our own mini Belur and Halebidu, which is about 400 years older than both these temples. We need to travel just about 50  kilometers from Pune. Let us watch the photos first -

Kaurav Pandav War (Mahabharata(

Another Angle

Draupadi Swyamwar (Arjuna taking aim at the Fish target)

Dwarpal on the Stairs

A Beautiful Statue

These and some more carvings are present in this temple. As you reach closer to this temple situated on a hill fort (now in ruins), you get to see these three Shikhar.

First View of Gopur

Once you park your car and climb about 15 odd stairs, you reach an elevated platform where you see the exterior of the temple complex (the temple lies in this outer shell.

Entrance to the Temple Complex

Carving on the roof boundary

From the main gate seen in the photo above, one enters the temple complex and then one has to take a narrow flight of stairs to reach the main temple where a great Black Stone Nandi, the Bull of Lord Shiva.

Nandi with his eternal wait for Shiva

Another View

And finally, in the Garbha Gruha (sanctum Sanctorum) we get the darshans of the presiding deity, Bhuleshwar, the Shiva. See the beautiful image below -

Morning Darshans of Shri Bhuleshwar

After Darshans, one can enjoy the rustic Misal Pao or Wada Pao in one or two clean and simple hotels at the foothill of Mangal Gad.

A trip to Shri Bhuleshwar Mahadev Temple at Mangal Gad, about 60 km from Swar gate is a great trip which can be done in half a day or it can be clubbed with other attractions like Bhigwan on one side and Narayanpur Datta and Narayaneshwar temple and Prati Balaji Temple on the other side to convert to a day trip.

If enjoying a drive, enjoying a trip, seeing something spectacular, and sampling rustic Marathi food is the objective, go to Shri Bhuleshwar Remple

Belur and Halebidu, Poetry in the Stone

Our country is home to the world's largest collection of magnificent temples. The famous ones are Khajuraho, Konark, Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur, Hampi and many other such famous places.

There are two jewels of this list of temples which generally get overlooked. They are Belur Channakeshava temple and Halebidu Hoysaleshwar temple (complex). These two are the best examples of Hoysala architecture and a treasure trove of sculptures. These temples are easily accessible from Bangalore and they can be visited in a day trip too.

Hoysala (Sala striking (the tiger). Sala a prince struck a tiger dead with a stick to save his Guru) Dynasty ruled present-day Karnataka for about four centuries (around 10th century AD to 14th Century AD). Their capital was initially at Belur which later shifted to Halebidu.

Belur and Halebidu temples are Poetries in the Stone. Each nook and corner boosts of sculptures made beautifully. They are well carved with intricate carvings. Faces and bodies are well proportionate and good looking. The details in each sculpture, small or big is worth seeing.

These temples were attacked by Muslim invaders and some damages can be seen, however, despite the attacks, they are fairily in good condition. Here are some selected photos of Belur and Halebidu. You got to see them to believe in the fact that its Poetry in the stones. Please see these photos zooming them so that the intricacy can be experienced.

Belur - Channakesava Temple

Channakesava Temple Gopuram

Broader View

Garuda

Channakesava Temple bathed in the Morning Sun Rays

A Beauty Getting Ready, Checking her Makeup in a Mirror

Shuk Samvad (The beauty talking to a bird)

She is on a Hunt

Another Beautiful Sculptor

A Dancer

Sala with the Tiger

Narasimha Killing demon Hiryanakashyapu (See the details including facial expressions of pain on Demons face)

Rati and Kamdev

Hoyasaleshwar and SantaleshwaraTemples
Halebidu

Unlike Belur which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, these temples are Shiva Temples. They are twin temples which are on a single platform. They represent the Masculine (Hoysaleshwer) and Feminine (Santaleshwara) aspect of Shiva (similar to Ardhanarishwara). See their beauty.

Dwarpal,  A Guard at the Door

Grand Ganesha

Carvings at the Base of the Temple

Makara - A mythological Animal (Jaw like a Crocodile, a trunk and body like an Elephant, tail like a peacock)

Nandi

Side view

Well turned and polished Granite Column (Did they have a heavy-duty Lathe Machine)

Another Nandi (Two Temples Two Nandis)

The Base of the Temple. Fine Carvings

One  of the (out of four) entry of Halebidu temple

Another Dwarpal

So Intricate! Looks like Brahma but not sure

Ganesha Mounted on Mushak, his Vehicle, Mushak's feet are sinking in the ground due to Ganesha's Weight

Brahma, Mahesh and Vishnu (Mind the sequence, generally its Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh)

Uma Maheshwar

Arjuna, Shooting the Fish in Draupadi Swyamwar

Murlidhar Krishna

Gowardhan Parvat Lifted by Krishna (Goverghan Giridhari)

Shiva in the Body of Gajasur after Killing him (Notice Elephant Legs in the top and bottom)

Brahma, Mahesh, Vishnu and Uma Maheshwar in a single shot

Varaha (Avatar) Killing Demon Hiranyakha to rescue Bhudevi (Earth)

Bhagwan Shankar Killing a Demon

Narasimha Killing Hiranyakashypu

A Dancer, See the Feet carved with necessary Pitch

Ashta Bhuja (With EIght Hands) Durga Killing Mahishasur

A Goddess

Holika Dahan

Vishnu in Vaman (Midget) Avatar Seeking Land equal to 3 of his steps from Bali

Vaman in Virrat Avatar, One Step covers the Earth and Second the Sky, Bali offers his head for the putting third step

Not Sure About This Sculpture

Krishna Rukmini on Garud fighting Indra on Airavat (Krishna Stole Parijat Plant from Indra's Kingdom)

Sculpture of an Unknown Foreigner. Note his Long Coat and Judges like Headgear 

A Well-endowed Dancer. See the Musicians 

Single Sculpture of Lord Shiva and Vishu  (Left half - Shiva, Right - Vishnu)

Dashanan Ravan lifting Mount Kailasa, Shiva and Parvati Sitting Atop Kailasa

Shiv and Parvati riding Nandi, the Bull

Vishnu Killing a Demon

Temple Exterior - Exquisite Carvings, a Poem, a Song 

Poetry in Stone with Poetry of my life

This blog takes you on a virtual tour of Belur and Halebidu. They are easy to reach. They have all ranges of accommodation and they are spectacular. If you are going to Bangalore for a day or two for work, just add a day more and visit Belur and Halebidu. You would be more than happy for the time well spent on this road trip.

This blog is being replicated on our website - happystepstravels.com


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