8 Places To Visit In Belur In 2025 – The “Banaras of South”
If there is one place that exemplifies the royal beauty and exquisite craftsmanship of South Indian architecture, it’s Belur. Located around 220 km from Bangalore, Belur is a small temple town nestled on the banks of River Yagachi in Hassan district of Karnataka.
Popularly known as “Banaras of South” or “Dakshina Banaras” Belur is one of the most famous destinations in Karnataka. The myriad places to visit in Belur corroborate the fact how beautiful and enchanting this place is. Belur is home to several monuments, temples and holy shrines, making it one of the most significant pilgrimage spots for the people of the Hindu community.
Weather In Belur
The town experiences a subtropical climate and moderate weather throughout the year. During the summer, the temperature can rise to 33 degrees Celsius whereas in winter it drops to below 16 degrees Celsius. The place also receives an average rainfall of about 367 mm every year. The best time to plan your trip to Belur, Karnataka is between October and March.
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Best Time To Visit Belur
Winter season, that is from October to March, is the best time to visit Belur. During this time, the weather is very pleasant and comfortable. The temperature ranges from 22 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius, ideal for exploring architectural beauty of the city. Summer in Belur is quiet hot and humid with April being the hottest month. During monsoon, one can expect moderate to heavy rainfall. Therefore, October to March is the best time to visit Belur.
8 Marvellous Places To Visit In Belur
To make the most of your vacation to this ancient town in Karnataka, we have handpicked some of the best places to visit in Belur. Have a look!
- Chennakesava Temple – Explore The Marvelous Beauty
- Yagachi Dam – See The Majestic Architecture
- Halebidu – Land Of History
- Doddagaddavalli – Ancient Gem
- Belavadi – 13th Century Marvel
- Kedareswara Temple – Chalukyan Temple
- Archaeological Museum – Learn The Past
- Hoysaleswara Temple – Witness The Grandeur
1. Chennakesava Temple – Explore The Marvelous Beauty
Located just 500 meters from Belur Bus Station, this ancient temple is one of the finest testaments in the town. Festooned with exquisite carvings and artistic stone sculptures, Chennakesava Temple is one of the must-visit Belur tourist place. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple boasts a grand 100-foot-high gateway at the entrance and a six-foot-tall idol of Lord Vishnu placed inside the temple. The unique 645 elephant carvings, sculptures of Madanakai damsels, carvings in Navarang, episodes of the Puranas, the Upanishads and the epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are the major crowd-pullers.
- Location: Belur taluk, Hassan district, Karnataka
- Timing: 07:30 AM to 07:30 PM
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2. Yagachi Dam – See The Majestic Architecture
Surrounded by a lush green landscape and blessed with a cool breeze in the evening, Yagachi Dam is an ideal weekend escape for locals and tourists. The place is also one of the top Belur places to visit for rejuvenating your body, mind and soul. The dam is built across River Yagachi, a tributary of the River Kaveri. Thrilling and exciting water sports activities like cruise boats, banana boat rides, kayaking, jet skiing and speed boats can be experienced in the Yagachi Water Adventure Sports Centre which is the major highlight of this enticing tourist destination.
- Location: Attalgere, Karnataka
- Timing: 7 am to 6:30 pm
3. Halebidu – Land Of History
Regarded as one of the best places to visit in Belur Karnataka, Halebidu is admired for its intricate Hoysala architecture, minute & intricate carvings, detailed ornate temples, amazing sculptures with metal-like polishing and much more. Halebidu also called Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra, is inclusive of two Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, two Jain basadis and an archeological museum in the temple complex, which are the major highlights. One can see the finest depictions from Hindu mythology, animals, birds and dancing figures on the walls of this temple.
- Location: Hassan District, Karnataka
- Timing: 6: 30 am to 9: 00 pm
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4. Doddagaddavalli – Ancient Gem
Hoysala Architechtures
Image Credit: Bikashrd for Wikimedia Commons
At a distance of 25 km from Belur, lies yet another popular destination called Doddagaddavalli. The famous crowd-puller here is the gorgeous temple of Lakshmi Devi. A rare gem of architecture, the temple is absolutely in pristine condition and can be spotted from the road that leads to Doddagaddavalli from Belur. Lakshmi Devi Temple sits amidst lush green surroundings and is also accompanied by a shimmering water body, making it a must-visit place on the tourist’s itinerary. In the inner sanctum, you will find tall idols of Hindu deities – Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu and Kali.
- Location: Hagare, Doddagaddavalli village, Hassan District, Karnataka
- Timing: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
5. Belavadi – 13th Century Marvel
Only 27 km away from Belur, Belavadi makes an amazing getaway in Karnataka. It is mainly famous for the majestic Sri Veera Narayana Temple which is an important pilgrimage site for the devotees. The temple is built in the 13th century in Hoslaya style of architecture. The intricate carvings on the wall are a proof of it. According to a legend, this is where Bheema killed Bakasura to protect the villagers from the demon.
- Location: Belavadi, Karnataka
- Timing: 6.00 AM to 6.00 PM on Weekdays and 8:30 AM to 7 PM on Weekends
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6. Kedareswara Temple – Chalukyan Temple
Image Credit: Itsmalay~commonswiki for Wikimedia Commons
This is one of the famous temples located in Belur which is dedicated to Lord Shiva which is made of black stone. The architecture of the temple boasts a Chalukyan style of architecture which was built around the 1319 AD. Inside the temple there is a basement which features sculptural friezes depicting the story of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. It’s amazing architecture makes it one of the best tourist places in Belur.
- Location: Kedareshwara Temple Rd, Halebeedu, Karnataka
- Timing: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
7. Archaeological Museum – Learn The Past
Image Credit: A.Murali for Wikimedia Commons
This is an open air museum located at Halebid which is a home to many sculptures, exhibits, inscriptions and many more things. All these display the Indian Art at various foreign exhibitions. Inside the museum one can witness a statue of Dancing Shiva, Nataraja and Veena Saraswati. Alongside that there is a beautiful bronze statue of Tirthankara.
- Location: Halebeedu, Karnataka
- Timing: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Closed on Fridays)
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8. Hoysaleswara Temple – Witness The Grandeur
The Hoysaleswara Temple or the Halebid Temple is a famous hindu temple which was built in the 12th century. Situated at the west of Dwarasamudra lake in Halebid, this is quite a magnificent temple which is considered a landmark of the Hoysala empire. Considered to be one of the best places to see in Belur, this temple is quite a significant monument which is dedicated to Lord Shiva in South India.
- Location: Halebidu, Hassan district, Karnataka
- Timing: 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM
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Belur is a great vacation destination for travellers seeking a unique vacation beyond mountains and beaches. The ancient monuments, temples and holy shrines of Belur will teleport you back to several centuries, thus enriching the essence of your holiday. So, pack you bags and plan a trip to Karnataka to experience their culture and heritage. There is a lot to delight in for those who are in love with art, culture and architecture and of course photography.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Belur
How many days are required to visit Belur?
If you wish to explore all the tourist places in Belur mentioned above, then you need at least 3 to 4 hours. There are plenty of renowned tourist hotspots as well nearby Belur like Shravanabelagola, Chikmagalur & Halebidu, demanding a few additional days to your trip.
What are some must-visit places & things to do while visiting Belur?
Chennakesava Temple, Yagachi Dam, and Narasimha Pillar are some of the must-visit places to visit in Belur.
What is the budget required to visit Belur?
Your budget for the Belur trip depends on lots of factors like the trip duration, the hotel you choose to stay and the transport mode you prefer.
What is the best time to visit Belur?
Winters i.e. October to March, when the weather is mild and pleasant, is considered to be the best time to visit and explore the historical town of Belur.
Which of the famous temple is located at Belur?
The Chennakeshava Temple featuring an imposing six feet tall idol of Lord Vishnu in the inner sanctum and unique 645 elephant carvings and sculptures of Madanakai damsels is the most famous temple here and one of the top places to visit in Belur.
Who built the Belur Temple?
The famous Chennakesava Temple (also called Belur Temple) was constructed by King Vishnuvardhan, a famous Hoysala ruler.
What is the old name of Belur?
Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala Dynasty during the 11th century and was known as Velapura or Velur.
What is special in Belur?
Belur is famous for its showcasing of Hoysala architecture, especially the Chennakeshava Temple dedicated to Vishnu.
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A keen observer, an avid reader, a complete foodie, a pet lover and a curious entrepreneur with a vision to empower women. Penning down thoughts and musings come naturally, so, what better way to make a living than do what you love the most. Sujata started off as a content writer and today spearheads a content agency with an all-women team, where each day is about exploring the strength within, overcoming challenges and aiming to scale new heights. Her idea of a holiday well spent is visiting beautiful destinations, experimenting with food and trying out adventure activities.
