Belur’s historic Chennakeshava temple

Category
Art and culture
Published
25th Apr, 2022

Context

Continuing with the tradition, rathotsava (chariot or car festival) at the Chennakeshava temple in Belur started with Moulvi reads excerpts from the Quran (Koran)

About

The Quran Tradition

The temple follows its age-old tradition of reciting excerpts from Quran by a Maulvi to mark the celebration of the annual car festival.

About Chennakeshava temple

Chennakeshava Temple is also known Vijaya Narayana Temple.
Built by: Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana to commemorate his victory over the Cholas in 1116 AD.
- It is believed that the temple is built by– Dasoja and Chavana, a father and son duo.
Belief: This star shaped temple is located in Belur and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu
Beluru (also known earlier as Velapuri, Velur and Belapur in olden times) is situated on the banks of Yagachi River and was one of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire.

Hoysala Temples in Karnataka

Some other Hoysala temples include the Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu and the Kesava Temple at Somanathapura.
There are several other examples of Hoysala craftsmanship such as the temples at Hosaholalu, Belavadi, Amruthapura, Basaralu, Mosale, Arasikere, Nuggehalli and Kikkeri.
The Hoysala temples are protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Recently, India has finalised the Hoysala Temples in Karnataka as its nominations for consideration in the World Heritage Sites List for 2022-23.
- o The Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebeedu in Hassan district and Somanathapura in Mysuru district have been nominated.