Chennakeshava Temple
Belur was the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty who made a solid contribution to the world of art. Built by king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD, to celebrate his victory over the Cholas at the battle of Talikad. A culmination of over hundred years of painstaking craftsmanship, the Chennakeshava temple is decorated with stories from the Puranas, the Upanishads and the epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The temple is a creation of eternal beauty with intricate carvings from soft soapstone. The rows of friezes on the outer wall have rows of elephants, a series of artistic foliage and bead garlands above this. The fifth row depicts dancers and musicians, and the sixth with celestial nymphs in various poses in between small niches and miniature pillars. The winged figure of Garuda, Lord Vishnu's carrier, stands at the entrance facing the temple, palms touching in homage.