Shri Chenna Keshava temple, Belur, Karnataka

Located at Belur, Karnataka is the temple of Shri Chenna Keshava which is quite a marvel of architecture than a temple. There was variety of carvings that represented Dasavthara (The ten incarnation of Lord ‘Vishnu‘). There were also art works on walls of the temple that explains the story of many a myth. There were strict emphasis on Brahma, Vishnu and Siva who is considered as the creator, mentor and the destructor of Life. The temple was built in 1268 AD during the reign of King Narasimha III. The sculpture of Chennakesava Temple is predicted to be a specimen of later
Hoysala style because of certain architectural elements. It is said that during the Muslim invasion inIndia, the local worshipers covered the temple in a pile of sand to avoid destruction.


Photo : Courtesy Vinay Ravindran