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Chennakesava Temple
Description
Chennakesava, meaning "handsome Kesava," is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is devoted to Vishnu and has been an active Hindu temple since its establishment. It is described with great reverence in medieval Hindu texts and remains an important pilgrimage site in Vaishnavism. The temple is notable for its architecture, sculptures, reliefs, and friezes, as well as its iconography, inscriptions, and history. The temple's artwork portrays scenes of secular life in the 12th century, including dancers and musicians, as well as a pictorial narration of Hindu texts such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Puranas through numerous friezes. It is a Vaishnava temple that includes many themes from Shaivism and Shaktism, as well as images of a Jina from Jainism and the Buddha from Buddhism. The Chennakeshava temple is a testament to the artistic, cultural, and theological perspectives in 12th-century South India and the Hoysala Empire rule.
Tales
The Hoysala period in South Indian history began around 1000 CE and lasted until 1346 CE. During this time, they constructed approximately 1,500 temples in 958 different locations. Belur, also known as Beluhur, Velur, or Velapura in ancient inscriptions and medieval texts, served as the early capital of the Hoysala rulers. The city was held in such high regard by the Hoysalas that it was referred to as the "earthly Vaikuntha", which is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu.
History
In the early 14th century, the Hoysala Empire and its capital were invaded, plundered, and destroyed by Malik Kafur, a commander of the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji. Another Delhi Sultanate army targeted Belur and Halebidu for plunder and destruction in 1326 CE. The Vijayanagara Empire took over the territory after the invasion. The Hoysala style, according to James C. Harle, came to an end in the mid-14th century when Hoysala king Veera Ballala III was killed in a war with the Muslim Madurai Sultanate, followed by his son.
Features
Deities:
Timings:
All week: 7:30 am to 7:30 pm
Built:
900 years ago
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