Incredible India - Belur & Halebidu Just an Example, Part 1

Belur and Halebid are in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka state.Chikmagalur, in Kannada means younger daughter’s town. The district is situated between 12° 54´ 42´´ and 13° 53´ 53´´ north latitude and between 75° 04´ 46´´ and 76° 21´ 50´´ east longitude. Its greatest length from east to west is about 138.4 kilometers and from north to south 88.5 kilometers.

Hoysala is a dynasty who ruled Karnataka from 10 – 14^th A.D.  Hoysala kings remont chikmagalur.  Bellur and Halebidu used to be there capital. Art of Hoysala’s are even found in Somanathapur, Amrutapura, Belavadi and Nuggehalli.

Hoysala's Royal Emblem

Rest, in this Blog I will show the intricate sculpture work of Belur and Halebidu. This article is entirely dedicated to craftsmanship and architecture of Hoysala’s time . I cordially salute the chief architects and each worker for his contribution, which made these temple very privileged and a wonderful art gallery. Eventually gives immense pleasure to say I am an Indian.

Architecture of Hoysala has influence of Dravid style. In turn this is an expertise Architecture which emphasized on intricate yet delicate carvings throughout all the temples built in its time. Please remember this. Observe each picture shown in this blog.

Belur is more famous for its “Shila Balikes/ಶಿಲಾ ಬಾಲಿಕೆಯರು” means stone girls. The Temple has God ChennaKeshava’s main statue. It has all feature of a girl like Nose rings, Bindi etc so name ‘Chenna’  means beautiful, Keshava  as it’s a avatar of God Krishna.



Belur Temple



Architects at that time have had a building plan(similar to Blue print), they have built a draft building using the plan. It took 20 years for them to build this index building.

 

Index Building



 Inside the Chennakeshava temple there is ‘Narasimha Pillar/Kambha’. It indexes what all has been sculptured in entire Praakara, in miniature version.

 

Narasimha Kambha

  

The temple has Mantapa. This too has a speciality. That is it Symbolizes “Trimurthies” those are “Bramha, Vishnu and Maheswara”. Narasimha carving for Vishnu, the projection exterior surface has carvings of Bramha and entire projection looks like “Eshwara linga”. We can dismantle it completely even now also.

Mantapa with its projection, symbolising Trimurthies.

 The above is just an example Shilabalike, more balikes are in next blog.......