I have recently visited the best man crafted monuments ever made in India History. These places are called Helebidu and Belur.
Helebidu
Helebidu is located in Hassan District in Karnataka, India. Helebidu is one of the oldest architectural and historical places in India. It was called Dorasamudra around 11th century and it was the ancient capital of Hoysala Empire in the 12th Century. The name helebidu is given because this city was ruined many times by Bahmanid Empire. Bahmanid Sultanate was the first independent Islamic Kingdom in South India. The Helebidu attained the glorious heights during the reign of Ballala -II, the grand son of of Vishnuvardhan. The Hoysala empire is extended from river Kavery in the West to Krishna in the east. Its prosperity attracted the forces of Delhi Sultanate, who invaded and annexed the town in1311. Malik Kafur the muslim general is said to have taken away camel loads of jewellery, gold and silver from this city. Then it was again raged and lotted by Mohd. Bin Tuglak after he attacked and killed Ballala -III in 1342. After this battle the hoysala’s were forced to relinquish their beautiful capital and from here onwards it was nostalgically called helebidu or helebeedu and then it was never re-occupied by hoyasala’s and hoysala capital was shifted to Belur which is approx 18 km away from Helebidu.
The magnificent Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Hindu God Lord Shiva, was built during this time by Ketumala (one of the official of Vishnuvardhana) and attributed to King Vishnuvardhana, the Hoysala ruler. It enshrines Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, named after King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and his Queen Shantala Devi.
The construction was started around 1120 CE and completed in 1150 CE. During the early 14th century, Halebidu was sacked and looted by Muslim invaders from northern India and the temple fell into a state of ruin and neglect. Previously known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, Halebidu is 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore.
The below picture is of Gravity Pillar which is crafted in single rock of 42 feet and its stand on its own weight.
The below picture is of Gravity Pillar which is crafted in single rock of 42 feet and its stand on its own weight.
The other statue of note are the Garudagambha and Garuda, the celestial vehicle of lord vishnu. These images faces towards towards the central shrine of Chenna Keshwa.
Belur
Magnificent Belur, the quaint little town set elegantly on the bank of river YAGACHI and amidst lush surrounding was earlier known as Velapuri. It was chosen as the capital of the Hoysala, after the sacking and destruction of their capital at Dwarasamudra (currently Helebeedu), by the Delhi Sultans.
There were great patrons of art and architecture and built a number of magnificent shrines during their 300 years reign. The sculptures , amazing architecture, temples are the best creation of the Hoysala. Belur was the highly revered for its magnificent shrines and came to be known as the modern Vaikuntha (the haven in english) of the earth.
How to reach and what to See ?
Air : Nearest Airport is Mangalore(Approx 150KM) and Bengaluru (225KM)
Rail: Nearest is Banwar (25KM), Hasan(35KM)
Road : Belur (20KM), Hasan (35KM), Mysuru (150KM) - Regular buses available from Belur and Hasan
Road condition: 2014 Dec- Not good. there are pot hole in the entire stretch but there are construction work can be seen in some part of the road.
Stay: There are few hotels in Belur and Helebidu (near Bus stop and near KG Road)
The below is the evidence of some magnificent Architecture
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