| Sightseeing |
Chennakeshava Temple:The main entrance to the shrine is guarded by twin statues of a youth slaying a tiger. What is remarkable about this shrine is its compact structure, and perfect proportions. The wealth of sculptured friezes is simply unbelievable, since from the base to the projected eaves, every inch of available wall surface is covered with the most exquisitely sculptured images. But the Hoysala sculpture reaches its apogee in sculptures of celestial maidens, carved with a marvellous plasticity of modelling, and imbued with the most accomplished grace and elegance. Pillars in the Navranga Hall are lathe-turned, ingeniously carved and remarkably smooth. No two pillars look alike. The hall is diamond-shaped. The ceiling has concentric rings, ornamented with figures. At the centre of the hall, is a polished stone platform, on which the queen is believed to have danced, in praise of Lord Chennakeshava. Outside, on the vimana, the Hoysala sculptors have surpassed themselves - unending rows of nearly 650 elephants, horses, lions, birds and warriors. The larger panels of the wall, sport scenes depicting the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata. The huge walled court at Belur, contains three other smaller temples - the Channigaraya temple, Soumyanayaki temple and the Andal temple. These temples also contain splendid pieces of sculpture. The most striking feature of all Hoysala shrines, is the high plinthed, star-shaped jagati (platform), on which the temples have been built.
Shiva Temple :The core of this temple was nearly complete in 1142, but sculptural embellishments continued for another three generations, and the shrine remained incomplete, when the Khiljis in 1310 and the Tughlaqs in 1327, invaded and plundered the town. On the southern entrances of the temple, are two small Nandi shrines. These Nandis (bulls) are elaborately carved, sporting jewellery and garlands. There is something very natural and lifelike about these images. The fantastic friezes deeply carved on the schist, cover the entire exterior, giving the most prolific exhibition of scenes and motifs. The epics come alive on the drama, petrified in time. The lowest motif depicts some 2000 elephants with riders, each in a different stance, horses, mythical beasts and floral motifs. The 280, larger images of deities, mostly female, are heavily bedecked with ornate jewellery and fabulous garments. The dwarapalas (doorkeepers) at the southern and western entrances, are carved rather elaborately. Besides the Shiva Temple, Halebid has a few other temples, boasting of superb craftsmanship. The Jain Basti temples are contemporaries of the Shiva temple. The western-most Parsvanath Temple is magnificent, with its 32 pillared pavilion. The 14 feet high image of Parsvanath, has a seven hooded cobra over its head. The two other shrines of Adinatha and Shantinatha, are small but elegant structures. Further down the unfrequented road, is the dilapidated shrine of Kedareshwar. After much restoration, this temple has regained some of its lost splendour. This temple is a classic example of Indian temple architecture. To the northeast of the Shiva temple, lies a vast stretch of sand covered debris, of a number of temples which have been excavated recently. At the southwest corner stands the Huccheshwar temple, in absolute ruins.
Shravanbelgola:Wedged between two star rocky hills, this legendary pilgrim center and shrine of the Jains. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint and an object of worship for centuries, standing atop one of the hills (Indragiri) is 18 meter high and is said to be the tallest monolithic statue in the world. The symmetry in stone was created around 983 AD by Chamundaraya, a general and minister of the Ganga King Rachamatta. The Mahamastakabhisheka festival, an elaborate ritual, held here once every 12 years, attracts devotees from all over the World.
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