Outer wall pillars on the south side
Exterior wall surrounding the garbhagriha on the south side
Check the Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall for a detailed explanation of the entire outer wall surrounding the garbhagriha (inner sanctum) and some of the sculptural reliefs mounted on it.
The section of the wall shown in the image is on the south side and is oriented in the east-west direction. On the right side, it is attached to another section of the wall that is oriented in the north-south direction. On the left side, it is attached to the wall of the chariot-like shrine.
The middle section of the square pillars and the wall in between the pillars are carved with sculptural reliefs. There is a round pillar that has no carvings except for a small figure at the bottom. The reliefs on the wall to the left and right of this pillar are related to Shiva. The relief on the right side depicts Shiva slaying Andakāsura and the relief on the left side depicts Kali, an incarnation of Shiva’s consort Parvati.
The relief on the squarish pillar portrays Vishnu with four arms, each carrying his signature objects. Another Vishnu relief is carved on the wall next to its left.
The next square pillar has two sides, each of which has reliefs of some unknown deities. The relief on the corner pillar attached to the shrine depicts Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, where Shiva is resting with his consort Parvati.
Located 150 miles west of Bangalore 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.
Related Pages
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
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