Sri Veeranarayana Temple

Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple near Belur Halebidu Chikkamagaluru Tourism temples Karnataka Tourism

Belavadi Veera Narayana Temple near Belur Halebidu Chikkamagaluru Tourism temples Karnataka Tourism. Sri Veeranarayana Swamy Temple ಶ್ರೀ ವೀರನಾರಾಯಣ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ Belavadi, Karnataka .Sri Veeranarayana Swamy Temple ಶ್ರೀ ವೀರನಾರಾಯಣ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ Belavadi, Karnataka . Veera Narayana temple is an ornate trikuta (three shrined) temple was built in 1200 C.E. by Hoysala Empire King Veera Ballala II. The material used is Soapstone. Each of the three shrines has a complete superstructure (tower on top of shrine) and is one of the largest temples built by the Hoysala kings. While the famous temples at Belur and Halebidu are known for their intricate sculptures, this temple is known for its architecture.
The Veera Narayana temple is located in Belavadi, a village in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka state, India. The temple was built during the rule of the Hoysala Empire. Known to legend as Ekachakranagara, Belavadi is said to be the place mentioned in Mahabharatha where Pandava prince Bheema killed the demon Bakasura and protected the village and its people. Belavadi is 29 km southeast of Chikmagalur town on the Chikmagalur-Javagal highway.

The two newer shrines have different plans. One shrine is square in shape while the other is star shaped (stellate). The tower of the shrine has an apex called the kalasha (decorative water-pot like structure) below which are three tiers of decorated miniature roofs.The superstructure over each of three shrines is connected to a low protrusion tower called Sukanasi (tower over the vestibule, called nose of the main tower)The Sukanasi consist of two tiers of decorated miniature roofs. In all other aspects the two shrines are identical. All shrines have sculptured decoration on the towers, and the sculptures on the walls are bold and are visible from a distance.However, they are not sharp and impressive from close quarters unlike in other Hoysala temples. The important sculptures with fine finish are that of the Hindu god Krishna dancing on the head of Kalia the serpent, and the Garuda (eagle).

This is a Vaishnava temple and all three shrines have images of the Hindu god Vishnu, though in different forms (avatar). The central shrine (older shrine) has an 8 ft (2.4 m) tall image of Narayana with four hands and is considered one of the best examples of Hoysala art. It is well elaborated with ornamentation and stands on a padmasana (lotus seat). The southern shrine has an 8 ft (2.4 m) tall image of Venugopala (the god Krishna playing a flute) including a garuda pedestal and the northern shrine has a 7 ft (2.1 m) tall image of Yoganarasimha, sitting in a yoga posture. Decorative sculptures such as kirtimukhas (gargoyles) are used to make the shrine (vimana) towers ornate.
The temple is a trikuta having Sri.Veeranarayana in the center facing East, Sri.Venugopala facing North and Sri.Yoganarasimha facing South.

The temple is belived to be constructed in two phases, earlier the central shrine was constructed and later on the additions were made, but truly this temple is a marvel and possess the most beautiful images of Sri.Venugopala as Certified by the Archaeological Survey of India.

As one enters the temple from the main entrance, one can see a huge entrance with slanting roofs covering it and you can see two Vimanas beautifully decorated with various images and separated by more than 100 feet in distance. This is the only trikutachala temple where all the three kutas are widely spread across.
there are two Elephants at the Dwara, followe by a huge Navaranga completely filled with beautifully carved pillars,
How to reach Belavadi
From Bangalore 220 kms

From Chikmagalur 25 kms

Route :
1.Bangalore - Nelamangala - Kunigal - Channarayapatna - Hassan - Halebeedu-Belavadi

2.Hassan - Belur - Halebeedu-Belavadi

3.Chikmagalur - Belavadi

4.Bangalore-Nelamangala-Tumkur-Gubbi-Tiptur-Arsikere-Javagal-Belavadi.

5.Shimoga-Bhadravathi-Tarikere-Birur-Kadur-Banavara-Javagal-Belavadi.

Road :
1.Belavadi is about 10 kms from Halebeedu. It is enroute between Halebeedu and Javagal.

2.One can also reach Belavadi via Bangalore - Arsikere Road on NH 206 and then take diversion onto State Highway upto Javagal.


Rail :
1.Alight at Arsikere Junction or Birur Junction if your are travelling in Fast Express Trains and then take road to Belavadi.

2.If you are travelling by Express or Passenger trains alight at Banavara and then head by road.

3. Kadur-Chikmagalur Railway Line, alighting at Chikmagalur station would be more nearest point.

Airport :
1.The nearest Airport is at Devanahalli and then either head by road or rail.

2.A new domestic airport is being constructed at Shimoga/Hassan, which would act as nearest airports.


Google map location:

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Veera Narayana Temple, Belavadi

The Veera Narayana temple at Belavadi, a village in Chikkamagalur district of Karnataka, is an epitome of symmetry. This trikuta Hoysala temple built in 1206 AD, houses Veera Narayana as the main deity, with Venugopala and Yoganarasimha in the the other two sanctum sanctorums. More here: