Belur Temple

                    The Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple originally called Vijayanarayana Temple was built on the banks of the Yagachi river in Belur, by the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana. Belur, that was an early Hoysala capital is in the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. it’s 40 kilometre from Hassan town and 220 kilometre from Bangalore. Chennakesava (lit, “handsome Kesava”) may be a kind of the Hindu god Vishnu. Belur is well known for its marvelous temples designed during the rule of the Hoysala family, creating it and nearby Halebidu favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state. These temple complexes are projected to be listed under unesco World Heritage Sites.
History of Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple:
           
                   The Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD. scholars are divided regarding the explanations for the construction of the temple. The military successes of Vishnuvardhana is considered a probable reason. Some scholars believe Vishnuvardhana commissioned the temp to surpass his master, King Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya Empire (who ruled from Basavakalyan), when his initial military victories against the Chalukyas. according to another theory, Vishnuvardhana was celebrating his famous victory against the Chola family of Tamil country in the battle of Talakad (1116 AD), that resulted in the annexation of Gangavadi (modern southern Karnataka) by the Hoysalas. Another theory points to Vishnuvardhana’s conversion from Jainism to Vaishnavism (a sect of Hinduism) when coming under the influence of saint Ramanujacharya, considering this is a preponderantly Vaishnava temple in sculptural picture. The Hoysalas used many noted architects and artisans who developed a new architectural tradition, that critic Adam Hardy called the Karnata Dravida tradition. in all 118 inscriptions are recovered from the Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex, covering the period 1117 AD to the 18th century, giving historians details of the artists used, grants created to the temple and renovations committed during later times.
 
Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex:
                   
               The main entrance to the Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple complex is topped by a Rayagopura (superstructure over entrance) built during the days of the Vijayanagar empire. inside the complex, the Chennakesava temple is at the centre, facing east, and is flanked by the Kappe Channigraya temple on its right, and a small Sowmyanayaki (form of the god Lakshmi) temple set slightly back. On its left, also set slightly back is the Ranganayaki (Andal) temple. 2 main sthambha (pillar) exist here. The pillar facing the main temple, the Garuda (eagle) sthambha was erected in the Vijayanagar period whereas the pillar on the right, the Deepa sthambha (pillar with lamp) dates from the Hoysala period. this is the primary nice Hoysala temple, though according to the critic and student Settar, the creative idiom and signature is still Western Chalukyan. Hence, the over-decoration that is seen in later Hoysala temples (including the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebidu and the Keshava temple at Somanathapura) isn’t visible here. according to Settar, during later years, the Hoysala art took an inclination towards craft, with a weakness for detail.The Chennakesava temple has 3 entrances and their doorways have adorned sculptures called dvarapalaka (doorkeepers) on either aspect. while the Kappe Channigraya temple is smaller than the Chennakesava temple, it’s architecturally vital, though it lacks any sculptural features. The Kappe Chennigraya temple became a dvikuta (two shrined temple) with the later addition of a shrine to its original plan. the first shrine has a asteroid plan while the additional shrine is a simple square. The image inside is also that of Kesava ( a kind of the god Krishna) and was commissioned by Shantala Devi, the noted queen of King Vishnuvardhana
 
Artists of Chennakesava Temple, Belur Temple:
            The Hoysala artists, in contrast to other medieval artists, preferred to sign their work in the shape of inscriptions. In doing so, they generally revealed fascinating details about themselves, their families, guilds and place of origin. Stone inscriptions and copper plate inscriptions give more information about them. Ruvari Mallitamma was a prolific artist to whom quite 40 sculptures are attributed. Dasoja and his son Chavana who were from Balligavi in modern Shimoga district made important contributions. Chavana is attributable with the work on 5 madanikas and Dasoja accomplished four of them. Malliyanna and Nagoja created birds and animals in their sculptures. Artists like Chikkahampa and Malloja are attributable with a number of the sculptures in the mantapa.