Hassan (Karnataka)

The picturesque town of Hassan is located in the heart of Malnad. 194 kms from Bangalore is the District Headquarters of Hassan. This quiet and peaceful town is a convenient base to visit Sharavanabelagola, Belur and Halebid. Hassan offers a wide variety of accommodation.

Sravanabelagola is a famous Jain pilgrimage with a 17 m high monolith of lord Bahubali standing tall. Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala kings.

The Chennakeshava temple took 103 years to complete and is filled with intricate carvings and sculptures. No space is left blank in this finest example of Hoysala architecture.

In Belur Veeranarayana temple is also worth visiting. Halebid, like Belur is also a mute testimony to the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka.

Population: 1,08,706

Best time to visit: October to March

Belur
This quaint hamlet - 38 kms from Hassan - is located on the banks of the river Yagachi. It was once capital of the Hoysala Empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples.

The Chennakeshava temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It took 103 years to complete this architectural marvel. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and frescos, with no portion left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensuous dancers. They are all there - awe-inspiring in their intricate workmanship. Hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars support the temple.

The Veeranarayana Temple and the smaller shrines are worth a visit.

Halebid
Halebid is 27 kms north-west of Hassan and 17 kms east of Belur. The temples of Halebid - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. The Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 21st century, is astounding for its wealth of sculpture details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of Gods and Goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. This magnificent temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed despite 86 years of labour.

Shravanbelagola
51 kms south-east of Hassan, Shravanbelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres .The world's tallest monolithic statue 27 m. high monolith of Lord Bahubali is situated here. Thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka a spectacular ceremony held once in 12 years, when the 1000-year -old statue is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron, and gold coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2005 A.D.

Excursion

Chikmagloor
Nestled in the Baba Budan hills, Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town full of scenic surprises. Hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms. Situated 251 kms from Bangalore, Chikmagalur is a trekker's delight, with its rugged mountain trails


Shravanbelagola
51 kms south-east of Hassan, Shravanbelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres .The world's tallest monolithic statue 27 m. high monolith of Lord Bahubali is situated here. Thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka a spectacular ceremony held once in 12 years, when the 1000-year -old statue is anointed with milk, curds, ghee, saffron, and gold coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2005 A.D.

How to get there