Hassan district was the seat of the Hoysala Empire which at its peak ruled large parts of south India with Belur as its capital. Halebidu as its later named as the capital during the period 1000 – 1334 CE. The district is named after the Goddess “Haasanamba”; the presiding deity of the town.
I got this opportunity to move to Bangalore for few months in the midst of the 2020 pandemic. Given that I had limited choices, I decided to move; and make the most of it. The paranoia in me was not in agreement to use any public mode of convenience to complete the move to Karnataka. The other best option I had was to drive. No two questions asked I was in my car driving on the Mumbai Bangalore road.
READ: Bombay to Bangalore – an absolute weekend drive
I noticed the best way to start my weekend drives would be to explore areas close by and of course offbeat so that I dont have issues of social distancing. Found a “Hassan District” very close
The Hassan district is noted for its enchanting natural scenic beauty and is considered as a veritable treasure-house of Hoysala architecture and sculpture. The best specimens of which are at Belur and Halebeed.
Tourist Attractions
Belur and Halibeedu or Halebid are two tiny towns of Karnataka considered as the ‘jewels in the Indian cultural heritage’. Known for their ancient temple and exquisite craftsmanship, these places are absolutely worth a visit. A hidden village of Belavadi is an home to yet another classic example of cultural heritage and should be an absolute no-miss
Halebidu
Halebidu, formerly known as Dwarasamudra, is a city adorned with beautiful collection of temples, shrines and sculptures, it is home to some of the best examples of Hoysala architecture. Most notable are the ornate Hoysaleshwara and Kedareshwara temples. Read More….
Belur
Belur is very famous temple town situated in Hassan District of Karnataka State. It is renowned for the grand Hoysala Temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Vishnu. Read More….
Belavadi
Belavadi is a village situated in Chikmagalur District and is famous for Sri Veera Narayana Temple built in Hoysala architectural style. The place is described as Ekachakranagara of Mahabharata and is said to be the place where Pandava prince Bheema killed the demon Bakasura. Read More….
How to complete the Halebidu Belur Circuit
With a daily drive of not more than 3 to 4 hours one can accomplish this circuit in 2 to 3 days. Previously known as Dorasamudra, Halebidu is 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and about 200 kms from Bangalore. One should attempt to complete this trip while travelling anticlockwise on the route sketched above or just drive to Halebidu directly.
Day 1:
| Start Destination | End Destination | Kilometers |
| Bangalore | Shravanbela Gola | 145 Kms |
| Shravanbela Gola | Shettihalli Church | 70 Kms |
| Shettihalli Church | Doddagaddavalli Temple | 35 Kms |
| Doddagaddavalli Temple | Halebidu | 45 Kms |
Day 2:
I suggest staying at the KSRTC Accommodation available at Halebidu. The place is less crowded than Belur and is also more peaceful. the KSRTC is located right across if the main temple of Halebidu, which makes it more accessible early in the morning to catch the first ray of sunlight at the temple
Day 3:
One could take the same route back or also travel back Via Tumakuru. I chose to take the Tumakuru road to explore other areas around the Hassan District
| Start Destination | End Destination | Kilometers |
| Halebidu | Tumakuru | 145 Kms |
| Tumakuru | Bangalore | 70 Kms |
Where to stay
KSRTC accommodations are available in Halebidu and Belur. These need to be prebooked as the the number of rooms are not too many. The KSRTC in Halebidu has 5 rooms where as the one in Belur has about 15.
Other Attractions around Halebidu
If travelling from Bangalore and not bench pressed with time, it is always a good idea to visit and witness the diversifying history and culture that the district of Hassan presents.
The Sunken Church
Hassan district is a home to 19th-century French missionaries, who have left a mark on the architecture of the region. One such region with a discernible French hangover is the village of Shettihalli. This is offbeat in every sense of the word and holds secrets that once unraveled and enthrall any traveler. Read More….
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali Statue which is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world. It is the most popular Jain pilgrimage center in South India. The nude statue of Bahubali is carved carefully with much perfection.
Doddagaddavalli Temple
The Lakshmi Devi temple is located in Doddagaddavalli, a village in Hassan District. It lies on the Hassan city – Belur highway. The Lakshmi Devi temple, was built by the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana in 1114 C.E.
Yagachi Dam
The Yagachi Dam is built across the river Yagachi, a tributary of river Kaveri. The dam was constructed with the objective to harness water resource for the purpose of irrigation and to meet the demands for drinking water in around Hassan districts.
I was so mesmerized about the place and the beauty of it; I forgot to take my own pictures 😀
4 Corners of the World 