The structure was built in AD 1116.It was built in observance of the victory of the Hoysalas over the cholas in the great battle of Talkad.The King Vishnuvardhana Commissioned this temple, and it took 103 years to complete. The facade of the building is intricately carved with sculptures and friezes. The inside is even more richly carved on its panels and pillers. There is not a portion of the structure that has been left uncarved,and yet yje effect is not overwhelming. there is a flow to the subject matter,like a story frozen in stone unfolding before you and coming to definite conclusion. The architecture is extremly complex, yet regard for proportion is well maintained. If you insert a thread into the pupil of an eye on one of the sculptures, it would emerge through the nose. suspend a taut string from the forehead of a dancer and it will fall straight to an uplifted toe.

A few out of the thousands of Sculptures are presented.

How to get there : - Belur is 222 Kms from Banglore and 27 Kms from Hassan. There are conducted day trip from Banglore and Mysore by Karnataka State Tourist development Corporation (KSTDC).

Useful websites are : www.kstdc.nic.in www.indiamart.com www.virtualvisitindia.com India Times - travel is very useful for hotels , map etc.

The best way to go is by car from Banglore or Mysore, Visit Belur, Halibid, Somanathpur and Sharavanabelagola. Belur, Halibid and Somanthpur can be viewed in three days for those who are interested in detail and photography. An A/C car with driver may cost between 30 to 40 US $ per day.

Accommadation Hotel Velapur Belur, Hotel Shantala Halebidu are inexpensive basic hotels run by KSTDC. Hotel Southern Star Hassan (sshassan@vsnl.com) is a three star Hotel reasonably priced for a very comfortable stay, extremly clean with good food.

Best Time to Visit: Nov to Jan