Belur Chennakeshava Temple: Lathe-turned pillars

Lathe-turned pillars in the northwest section of the navaranga
The image shows the northwest section of the navaranga, the covered hall in front of the inner sanctum.

Supporting the roof are the stone pillars that are precisely cut, polished, and partly covered with artwork of beautiful patterns. There are 48 such pillars in the navaranga, and none of them are similar, except for the four surrounding the dance floor. It appears as though they were the product of sophisticated machinery, such as modern-day lathes. Because of this appearance, they are called lathe-turned pillars. However, nobody is sure how they were built.

Located 150 miles west of Bengaluru in southern India, the Belur Chennakeshava Temple is a magnificent temple dedicated to Vishnu. King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty commissioned the temple in 1167 CE to commemorate his victory over the Cholas at Talakadu. After his death, his successors – Narasimha I and Veera Ballala II – continued the work, and it took 103 years to complete it.

Explore More About Chennakeshava Temple
– Mohini Pillar, Narasimha Pillar, Narasimha Pillar – A Closeup View
Shilābālikes – Female Bracket Figures
– Darpana Sundari, Sukha Bhasini, Nātya Sundari, Gāna Sundari, Kesha Sundari, Tribhangi, Nagna Sundari, Kapala Durga, Koravanji, Nātya Mohini, Betegārthi
Male Bracket Figures
– Flute playing male musician
– Narthaka – Davane playing male dancer
– Davane playing male musician
Related Pages
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– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple Complex
— Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Magnificent Temple Dedicated to Vishnu
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– The Mystery of Elephanta Cave 2
– The Smaller Caves of Elephanta: Caves 2, 3, 4, and 5
– How to Reach Elephanta Caves

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