Belur

Another must-visit destination representing the grandeur of erstwhile era, Belur is about 223 km from Bengaluru and 16 km from Halebid. Located on the banks of the Yagachi River, it is also known as Dakshina Varanasi or South Banaras for its exquisitely carved temples. The very famous Chennakesava Temple, which means handsome Kesava, is said to represent the victorious glory of the Cholas in the great battle of Talakad. According to text, it is believed that this ancient masterpiece received its name from the then Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara. An interesting thing to note about this 12th century masterpiece is the exquisitely carved figures on the pillars, known as madanikas, in different dancing postures, showcasing the culture of medieval times. It took nearly 103 years to build Chennakesava. The main structure inside the temple is star shaped on a raised platform with prolific work of sculpture art. Small shrines of Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki and Andal surround the main temple.