Belur- Halebeedu- Shravanabelagola
Gomateshwara Statue at Shravanabelagola
One of the off-beat but most interesting tour packages from Bangalore is to Belur- Halebeedu and Shravanabelagola. Located in Hassan district, Belur-Halebeedu temples are from the Hoysala Dynasty and are worth a visit. An architectural marvel of the times, the twin temples leave you spellbound. Shravanabelagola is one of the most worshiped Jain pilgrimages and is often visited by others too.
Plan your tour to Belur-Halebeedu for a minimum of 2 nights and 3 days to these historic twin towns in Hassan District. Hassan is about 180 km away from Bangalore and takes about 4 hours to reach by road.
Day 1
Embark on your journey either by train or road from Bangalore. Bangalore can be easily reached by train or air from all the major cities of the country. You can either hire a taxi or take a train to reach Hassan. Before you reach Hassan, you can visit Shravanabelagola, the Jain pilgrimage.
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola
An important Jain pilgrimage is also a major attraction for others too. Shravanabelagola is home to the world’s tallest monolithic statue of Lord Gometeshwara. Constructed in 981 AD by a Ganga warrior, Chamundaraya, the statue is carved out of a single block of granite and is visible up to 30 km away. Nearly 700 steps take you up to the Vindhyagiri hills where the statue of Lord Gomesteshwara is located and is surrounded by a temple complex. To worship or see the lord, you will have to climb the steps. At the bottom of the temple, there are several tiny shops selling knick-knacks and puja items.
Bang opposite Vindhyagiri lies another hill called Chandragiri. On the top of the Chandragiri, there is a cluster of 14 Jain Temples. To visit both the shrines /hills half a day is recommended.
One of the major attractions of Shravanabelagola is the Mahamastakabhisheka. An event which is planned every 12 years is one of the biggest festivals in the world. Not only the Jain pilgrims, travelers, media, and VIP s flock to Shravanabelagola from all over the world. Mahamastakabhisheka is a festival where the lord Gometeshwara ‘s head-anointment ceremony is performed by pouring hundreds of pots of milk, curd, honey, turmeric paste, coconut water, vermillion and even gold and precious jewels over the statue’s head. The last Mahamastakabhisheka was held in 2018 and the next is due in 2030.
After visiting this world-famous Jain pilgrimage, you can proceed towards Hassan and retire for the day.
Day 2
To visit Belur – Halebeedu and commute from district headquarters, it is advisable to travel by your vehicle. Local transport is also available and can be made the best use of.
Belur
Belur
The two ancient and historic temples represent the brilliant and astonishing craftsmanship of Hoysala Architecture. Dedicated to lord Vishnu, the splendid Chennakeshava Temple is believed to have been built in the 11th century. The temple was built by King Vishnuvardhana and the Hoysalas to commemorate the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas in the Talakadu battle. The intricate carvings both inside and outside the temple make it worth visiting. The stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata are depicted in the form of stone carvings of women dancing, playing instruments, animals, and birds, and from nature. You can easily spend 2-3 hours at the temple.
Halebeedu
Halebeedu
Just 17 km away from Belur lays the famous Halebeedu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This is one of the largest Shiva temples built by Hoysalas. Halebeedu, in Kannada means ‘old house /old ruins,’ mesmerizes the visitors, travelers, and pilgrims leaving them awestruck with its exquisite carvings and craftsmanship. The temple’s base consists of 7 rows carved with elephants, lions, horses, and floral scrolls. The inner and exterior walls of the temple are adorned with intricately carved Hindu deities, sages, birds and animals, and much more depicting stories from Bhagwat Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata. Halebeedu also houses multiple temples for Hindus and Jains from ancient times. Not to miss an archaeology museum within the Halebeedu complex that houses over 1500 sculptures and artifacts of the Hoysala era. The museum is maintained by ASI.
Hassan has several stay options ranging from budget to high-end heritage properties. Choose to stay in Hassan for better accessibility to other places of interest. To have leisure time in both temples you will need at least 6-7 hours.
You can either visit Shettihalli Church on day 2 or relax in a hotel and enjoy the evening in a resort or a hotel.
Day 3
Hassan more precisely is famous for the twin temples Belur – Halebeedu. However one cannot take away the limelight of the famous and unusual submerged Shettihalli Church.
Shettihalli Church
Shettihalli Church
One of the hidden gems of unexplored Karnataka is the Shettihalli Church. Rosary Church was built about 160 years ago by Europeans along with the banks of River Hemavathi in Shettihalli Village. Later on, the government built a dam to control flooding. The Church becomes the attraction during and post-monsoon when it submerges into the river giving the illusion of a floating church. The ruins of the Church also tell a lot of haunted stories by the local people. The marvelous architecture of the ruins depicts how grand the church may have been. The tall columns, French doors, and windows make it an iconic monument and must to visit when in Hassan. There is no direct access to the church, ask the locals for directions. There is a walk of 10 minutes from the main road to reach the church via a dirt track or mud road. It is a breathtaking sight to see the magnificent Shettihalli church either submerged or otherwise.
After spending some one hour at the church you can proceed towards Bangalore.
How to reach
Belur – Halebeedu can be reached by road from its district headquarters Hassan. Hassan is well connected by road and railways. Belur is just 24 km from Hassan.
By Air
The nearest airport is Mangalore, 175 km, and Bangalore is around 220 km.
By Rail
Hassan, the district headquarters railway station is well connected with all the major towns in Karnataka.
By Road
Hassan can be reached best by road from all major towns of Karnataka. The state road transport buses ply from most of the cities.
Travel Tips
1. Belur- Halebeedu is a historic temple with mythological and architectural significance too.
2. There is no ticket to visit the temples.
3. You can hire government-approved Guides from the temple with a fee of Rs 300-400 to attain more knowledge of the history and architecture of the temples.
4. You can include Chikamagalur and Sakleshpur in your itinerary, as they are very close by.
5. Shoes are not allowed inside the temple premises; however, you can keep them at a counter outside the temple or leave them in your car.
6. Cameras are allowed inside the temple but you cannot take pictures of the deity.
7. The best time to visit is October to March. Summers can be harsh in walking the open air.
8. Washrooms are available outside the temple.
9. There are around 700 steps to reach the statue of lord Gometeshwara.
10. There are no guides or fees to visit Shettihalli Church.
