Belur

Belur was the capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebid, this is one of the major tourist destinations in the district of Hassan in Karnataka, India.

The Chennakeshava Temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It took 103 years to complete. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and friezes with no portion left blank. The intricate workmanship includes elephants, episodes from the epics, and sensuous dancers (the Shilabalikas). Inside are hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars.