A visit to Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
I recently visited Chennakeshava Temple in Belur.
I knew about this temple from past discussions or readings where Belur and Halebeedu have old temples.
I obviously had to take a guide to understand the details and history of the temple. The guide was really knowledgable and helped me understand so many things about the temple. Obviously a must visit if you are into temples and old architecture.
Now coming to my notes / observations / thoughts about the visit:
The name of the temple means Chenna(handsome) Kesava(Vishnu), Handsome Vishnu. The idol is decorated as a female
The temple has very intricate sculpturing, workmanship.
There is also a prototype temple on the left side. So first the prototype was built and then the main temple. Prototyping from an early age. The temple was built around 11th-12th century. It took 100+ years to complete
Got to know about the Hoysala dynasty. The symbol and what it represents.
By Dineshkannambadi at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, LinkThere are ~40 statues(bigger ones) on the main temple wall. Also as told by the guide there are similar smaller versions as well on the temple wall. Like on top layer the bigger ones and on lower level the smaller ones.
One thing to note was some of the smaller statues were stolen. As these statues are detachable like lego blocks people have stolen some.
Guide mentioned that each bigger statue has a smaller version of it. So based on this assumption if we get all bigger statue pictures and check with their corresponding ones. I think we should be able to figure out ones that are missing. Even search them online across the catalogue of different museums maybe?
Each statue was performing some action and there were many details around each statue. Like depiction of holi/pichkari in one of it. Some forms of dance steps.
Another interesting thing was the roof of the temple. It had a smaller inverted pillar with a Narashimha picture under it. Guide said that the pillar is movable and the ASI people during maintenance were able to move it and it looked like the whole roof can be opened by removing a piece one by one like lego blocks.
Also the roof part of main temple is missing. Guide said it was destroyed.
After visiting the temple I watched some videos on youtube related to it.
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