Chennakesava Temple

Overview

The Chennakesava Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located in Karnataka, India. This was initially known as the Vijayanarayana temple. It is located on the Yagachi River at Belur. It was once the capital of the Hoysala rulers. The city of Belur is about 40 kilometres from the city of Hassan. Bangalore is about 220 kilometres from Belur. Chennakesava translates to mean the “handsome Kesava”. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in this temple, and Belur has many beautiful temples which were built by the Hoysalas. Halebidu which is close to Belur is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka.

About the temple

The ornate gopurams in the Chennakesava temple are attractive. When one enters the temple, one gets a feel of the grandeur of the Hoysalas. The sacrosanct platform of the temple has a golden horse along with the temple chariot. Lord Vishnu is seen carrying the Garuda at the entrance and faces the temple. The temple structure has exclusive filigree gleams which shine like metal. The sculptures are well proportioned. Soapstone which is light greenish in colour has been used to create the Chennakesava temple. Smaller temples of Ranmaganayaki and Soumyanakithe beloved of Lord Chennakesava lie within the temple premises. One gets to see temples of Anjaneya and Narasimha from here.

The Temple was a part of the Hoysala Dynasty architecture. The facade of the temple is filled with sculptures and fit without a blank portion. Rayagopura was constructed under the Vijayanagar Empire. The Hoyasala Pillars are among the more interesting sight inside the complex. The temples of Soumyanayaki and the Ranganayaki temple and of Chennakesava, cover the primary temple. There are 48 pillars in different shapes, sizes, and designs. Carrying a great indication to amazing artistry. The major attraction in this temple is the Darpana Sundari. The pillars can be seen even in darkness. The most famous thing in the building is the Narasimha pillar in the holy Navaranga also exceptional in its amazing splendor. It is believed that it was ball bearings great once. The dancer, Shantaladevi constructed a holy temple in same style to the chief temple, which was used to call the holy Channigaraya temple. The whole building with its complicated filigree shines just like bright metal. The chlorite Schist, one of the mild greenish soapstone is hard just like granite, which was earlier used to make this building.

About the deity

The temple building of the Chennakesava Temple is placed in the centre. It faces the East and is edged by the holy Kappe Channigaraya temple. A Lakshmi temple is situated on its right. In the Chennakesava Temple, the daily holy pujas are performed regularly.

Legend

Hoysala ruler Shri Vishnuvardhana develops this Chennakesava Temple in the year of 1117. There are distinctive finishes of history specialists about the why Vishnuvardhana began to fabricate this sanctuary. On the other hand, the fight accomplishment of King Vishnuvardhana appears an immaculate reason. Couple of analysts trust that Vishnuvardhana uncommonly made this antiquated sanctuary to acclaim his ruler, the Chalukya Empire of west part, which was administering from the range of Basavakalyan.After his fight achievement, lord Vishnuvardhana praised his extraordinary triumph against eminent Cholas from Tamil rule in the fierce skirmish of famous Talakad. Thus, the King Vishnuvardhana attached the zone of Gangavadi (now south Karnataka). On the other hand, there is another imperative focuses that clarifies that when Vishnuvardhana changed over himself from Jainism religion to Vaishnavism religion. Pondering this point, the development of Vaisnava sanctuary appears to be sensible. The colossal Hoysalas procured numerous extraordinary engineers and in addition make men who imagined another style of compositional custom that is currently called by a few specialists the convention of Karnataka Dravida.The sanctuary has around 118 engravings encompassing the sanctuary structures, which was done amid the season of 1117 to eighteen century. These engravings give data about the architectures utilized who made this sanctuary These inscriptions give information about the architectures employed who made this temple excellent.Likewise two imperative holy places here that still in great condition and enthusiasts utilization.

Other information

Darshan timings: 7.30AM to 13.00PM and 14.30AM to 19.30PM

Significance

Most of the devotees who visit this temple seek fame, wealth, courage and freedom from diseases. The temple is also renowned for obtaining relief from adverse effects of planetary positions.

Seva Details of Sri Chennakeshava Temple

1.Thulasi Astottara
2.Thulsi sahasra nama
3.Coconut seva & Mangalarathi
4.Holy Coconut Seva
5.Hannu Thuppa Seva
6.Garuda prasada
7.Dolosthava
8.Hannerdu mangalarathi
9.Mula devara Abhishek
10.Usthava murthi Abhishek (Swamy Sri Sowmyanayaki Ammanavara Sannidhi)
11.Kumkuma astothara
12.Kumkuma sahasthra Nama
13.Ammanavara Abhisheka
14.Ammanavara Abhisheka (Usthava Murthy)

Other Sevas

15.Kivi Chuchuudhu
16.Upanayana
17.Madhuve Kanike
18.Alaya Shudda Mantapa
19.Choula Karma
20.Bhyke & Riksha Pooja
21.Bus & Lori Pooja

Sri Ganapathi Sannidhi

22.Kumkumarchane
23.Sahasthranaamarchane
24.Panchamrutha Abhisheka
25.Sankasta Chouthi Pooje Prasadha seva
26.Nimbhehannina Chithranna Seva
27.Puliyogare
28.Curd Rice
29.Sakkre Pongal
30.Ravekshira
31.Uppu pongal
32.KadleKaalu guggari

Festivals & Usthava in Temple

Sl.No	Usthavas Name
1	Belligarudothsava
2	Belli Hanumanthosthava
3	Lakshmi Uthsava
4	Shayanosthva
5	Shanthi Uthsava
6	Kere Mantapadi seve
7	Krishna Gandhosthava
8	Pushpa mantaposthsava
9	Prahalladha pripaalanothsava
10	Thepposthava
11	Kalparuksharohanothsava
12	Naagavalli mahothsava
13	Davanamantapothsava
14	Prabha Sametha Belli garudothsava
15	Kanakaandhi
16	Sharadhaalankarothsava
17	Ane Uthsava
18	Mohini Alankarothsava
19	Suryamandalothsava
20	Chandramandalothsava
21	Sheshavahanothsava
22	Anathapeetarohanothsava
23	Anantha Padhmanabhothsava
24	Raasakridothsava
25	Hoovina addapallkki uthsava
26	Hamsavananothsava
27	Shibhikarohanothsava
28	Shimharohanothsava
29	Bellimantapothsava
30	Kalyanothsava
31	Dhoddagarudothsava
32	Dhoddahanumthothsava
33	Mahabhisheka
34	Unjalothsava
35	Prakaarothsava(Garuda/Hanumantha)
36	Astatheertha
37	Ankurarpane
38	Garuda Prathiste
39	Yaaga Shale Pravesha
40	Urutane
41	Yaathra dhana
42	Kesari mantapadi seve
43	Sandhana seve Avamrutha
44	Poornahuthi
45	Pushpa Yaaga
46	Kudhure Vaahanothsava

Best time to visit

Belur with its moderate climate that has neither too much high temperature in the mid year, nor gnawing cool in the winters always offers pleasant environment. The summer season in Belur begins from the month of March and keeps going till June, with the maximum temperature being around 39°C . The winter season begins from November and keeps going till February and is the best time to visit the city of Belur.

Nearby Places to Visit

Halebeedu
Kedareshwara Temple

Accessibility

Currently, the Bangalore International Airport is the nearest. Proceeding by road is advisable. The nearest Railway junction is at Hassan. Belur is 40 kilometers from Hassan and 220 km from the city Bangalore by road.

Address

Belur,
Karnataka 573115