Plan your weekend: Immerse yourself in history and architecture at Belur

The town, located about 200km west of Bengaluru, was once known as Velapura, situated on the banks of the river Yagachi. The place, which used to be the capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 11th century, is filled with temples and monuments built by the Hoysala rulers over a period of 300 years, many of which have stood the test of time.

Chennakeshava Temple, which was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, remains in the town as one of the most prominent landmarks in Belur. It is also a hallmark structure that demonstrates the magnificence of Hoysala architecture. With several intricate carvings in stone, the structure is simply breath-taking. A 30-foot-tall Narasimha Pillar inside the temple is an architectural marvel.

Besides the Chennakeshava Temple, the town Halebidu, only 15km away from Belur, is home to the Hoysaleswara Temple, which is also referred to as the Halebidu Temple. A monument from the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to Shiva. Built on the banks of a massive man-made lake, the temple is known for its themes of Vaishnavism, Shaktism of Hinduism, as well as Jainism. The artworks, scriptures on the temple narrate texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Karnataka has been seeking the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag to these historic temples. The popular Jain pilgrimage, Shravanabelagola, is only 75km southeast of Belur. The place has a giant Gommateshwara Bahubali statue, which attracts lakhs of visitors each year. The location also depicts some of the most intricate architectural and sculptural marvels from the ancient times. For the sports enthusiasts, there is also the Yagachi Dam in Belur that offers several water sporting activities.