Excursion to Belur and Halebid

Duration: 12hrs

About this tour: This is a full day excursion to the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid. It usually takes between 3 to 3.5 hours to reach these sites from Mysore. Drive time may vary based on traffic and road conditions. We will break for lunch at the Hoysala Village Resort at Hassan.

The Hoysala Empire ruled Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh between the 10th to the 14th century. Belur was the original capital city. Under the powerful Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana, the capital was shifted to Halebid in the early 12th century. The Hoysalas were major patrons of art and architecture, and have left behind exquisite temples that continue to delight and astonish visitors. The temples at Belur and Halebid are gems of Hoysala architecture.

Coverage: We will visit the temple of Hoysaleshwara at Halebid, dedicated to Lord Shiva. After a break for lunch, we will visit the Chennakeshava temple at Belur. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (keshava) in his handsome (chenna) form. These two temples, which came up at the same time at different sites, dedicated to different deities, are among the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship. The Hoysalas used soft soapstone for their structures as they were found suitable for intricate carvings. They were architectural innovators who evolved several unique features to develop a distinct style for themselves.

Starts: At 7:30 a.m. at your hotel

Ends: Around 7:30 pm at your hotel

When: All days of the week

How to Book: Cost and timings vary depending on the number of people, as well as pickup/drop location. Please write to deepa@magictoursofindia.com for details.