Belur Chennakeshava Temple with the Uyyale Mantapa and Gravity Pillar
Belur Chennakeshava Temple with the Uyyale Mantapa and Gravity Pillar
This is a view of the Belur Chennkeshava Temple captured from the southeast side of the temple. As you can see, it is built on a star-shaped four feet high platform. It has three entrances, two of which are seen here. The main entrance is on the right and south entrance is in the middle.
Mounted on the pillars near the top but just below the eaves are the beautifully carved sculptures popularly known as the bracket figures. Check the Bracket Figures page for more info.
The solo pillar erected on the star platform is the Gravity Pillar. The small pavilion supported bu four pillars is the Uyyale Mantapa. The gallery-like structure in the far end is the Salu Mantapa.
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.
Mounted on the pillars near the top but just below the eaves are the beautifully carved sculptures popularly known as the bracket figures. Check the Bracket Figures page for more info. The sculptural relief on the left jālandhara (perforated stone window) depicts the court of King Vishnuvardhana, and the relief on the right jālandhara depicts the court of King Vira Ballala II.
Related Images
– Main Entrance and Facade
– South Entrance
– North Entrance
– Hoysala King Vishnuvardana, the builder of the Belur Chennakeshava Temple
– Hoysala King Veera Ballala II
– Hoysala emblem on the right side of the main entrance
– Hoysala emblem on the left side of the main entrance
Shilābālikes – Bracket figures mounted below the eaves
– Darpana Sundari, Sukha Bhasini, Nātya Sundari, Gāna Sundari, Kesha Sundari, Tribhangi, Nagna Sundari, Kapāla Durga, Koravanji, Nātya Mohini, Betegārthi
Male Bracket Figures
– Flute playing male musician
– Narthaka – Davane playing male dancer
– Davane playing male musician
Related Pages
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Magnificent Temple Dedicated to Vishnu
– Badami, Badami Cave – 1, Badami Cave – 2, Badami Cave – 3, Badami Cave – 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
Copyright © 2019 – 2023 by YatrikaOne. All rights reserved.