Belur, Hassan.(230Kms from Bengaluru.)

There are several ways to get to belur temple. The temples are very finely carved and a real beauty. The belur temple is the largest of the 3 temples that the Hoysala kings built. The route to get there is simple. Take the Hassan road towards Hassan and a fine road emerges all the way to Belur town. Bengaluru-(NH4)Nelamangala-(NH48)Kunigal- Chanarayapatna-Hassan-(SH57)Belur.
The rogue parking monkeys will rob you off Rs 30 for parking saying it is panchayat fees. Wonder what is wrong with those people and what services they are providing for parking to charge such a high sum.
Make a complaint at the municipal office at the end of the road.
The temple courtyard is large and spacious. The inside of the temple has some spectacular carvings and there is a charge of Rs10 for the man to focus the lights on the ceilings. A very nicely carved pillar next to the sanctum sanctorum.

Outside are 42 madanika images and each sculpture has the sculptors name inscribed on it.

One of them is the darpana sundari.

A very large pillar supported by its own centre of gravity and weight is a sight to watch.
The temple has its regular friezes and intricate sculptures a trademark of the Hoysala empire. The darpana sundari sculpture is famous over here for its work as also the other madanika images. It was raining that day and the picture doesnot justify the pose. Out on the streets you will get the whole madanika kit.

Before you get to the Belur temple is the Lakshmi Devi temple at Doddagaddavalli. The temple is done up well. You will see a rather large signboard from the main road. Go 1-2 kms in and you will see this rather abandoned temple. Built by a trader and not as grand as the Belur or halebid temple.

The one distinguishing aspect of the temple are the large Betala figures guarding the deity. The betalas are demonic living corpses. Found it eery maybe 'cos there was no one else in the temple. The back side has a scenic lake which complements the temple.
You will need to get the key to the temple if you are going at odd hours from the neighbouring house adjacent to the temple. Read more here.

Food @ Haleebedu - 1km on way to Belur, Hassan.

I just wanted to add this new section because many people refuse or have apprehensions to have food at smaller joints while travelling; and, seem to be missing the good food that these people make. I happenned to come across one on my way to Belur temple from Haleebedu, a kilometer away. I am posting the name of the place and the sumptuous food they served.

The name of the restaurant is "Sri Pushpagiri Hotel" run by Masale spices professor Shekhar. You get a papad served first. Then a brown ragi ball shown in the left. FYI: All are very bland and donot expect anything spicy. This is the local food. There is potato gravy, a salad and horse gram. You also get a horse gram gravy for the rice. This food is supposed to keep the labourers full of carbohydrates to last the tough conditions in the paddy fields. You get some curd and buttermilk too.

All this @ a reasonable cost of Rs.20 for a meal. We thought it would be a little higher. The place is much cleaner than it looks inside. This is the board that shows the restaurant. Anyway, I enjoyed the food. Please use your own judgement.

You can also try the plate idli(rice dumplings) that is served on the Bangalore- Mysore Road and most places in Karnataka with chutney.

Plenty of jackfruits in Karnataka. If you love this fruit and if you want to read how to cut them or what is edible - check this link.