Chennakeshava Temple, Belur – History

Chennakeshava Temple, Belur – History

Belur is called as Beluhur, Velur or Velapura in ancient inscriptions and medieval era texts. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Kings. Belur was even called as Bhuloka Vaikuntha (earthly abode of Lord Vishnu) and Dakshina Varanasi (Southern Varanasi) in later inscriptions. This temple was constructed in 1117 CE by King Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala Dynasty as per an inscription found on the east wall near the north entrance of the main mandapa of the temple.

He commissioned the temple after an important military victory in 1116 CE. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. The temple of Viranarayana to the west of the main Kesava temple was built around the 12^th century CE. The Chennigaraya temple was built concurrently along with the main temple by the queen of King Vishnuvardhana. King Narasimha I of Hoysala dynasty made grants to the temple for its maintenance and operation.

Hoysala King Veera Ballala II in 1175 CE constructed the kitchen and grain storage in the southeast corner. A stepped pond called Vasudeva Tirtha towards the north west of the main temple, was excavated by Veera Ballala II (1173–1220 CE). The compound wall along with its gateway was constructed by Somayya Dandanayaka during the rule of Veera Ballala III (1292–1343). He also covered the open mandapa with perforated stone screens.

The Hoysala Empire and its capital was invaded, plundered and destroyed in the early 14^th century by Malik Kafur, a commander of the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji. The temple was raided, damaged and its gateway was burnt down in a raid by a Muslim general Salar and his army working for Muhammed bin Tughlaq (1324-1351). The original tower above the sanctum was damaged and repaired in 1387 CE by Mudappa, a Minister under Vijayanagara King Harihara II and a metal kalasa or finial was fixed.

The front portion was a later addition built by the Dalavayi family of Kalale. Shrines for Saumya Nayaki, Aandal, Rama and Narasimha were added in the temple complex during Vijayanagar period. Gunda, a general of Harihara II, rebuilt the rajagopura in 1397 CE. Granite lamp posts and Vyala mandapa were built in 1414 CE and Yagasala was built in 1484 CE.

The temple premises were again damaged after the destruction of Vijayanagara Empire by a coalition of Sultanates. The first repairs were done in 1709, followed by additions in 1717 and 1736. The temple was repaired in 1774 by an officer of Hyder Ali during a period when Hyder Ali was the de facto ruler on behalf of the Wadiyar dynasty. The collapsing tower above the sanctum was removed to save the lower levels in late 19^th century and never replaced.

The parts of the temple was cleaned and restored with financing by the Mysore government and grants by the Wadiyar dynasty in 1935. The Chennigaraya shrine was rebuilt, new images of Ramanuja and Garuda added along with many other facility improvements and repairs to the complex in the mid of 20^th century CE. There are about 118 inscriptions dated between 12^th century CE to the 18^th century CE in the temple complex.

These inscriptions records the history of the temple & the region, the gifts & grants made to this temple and renovations carried out in the temple. The Belur temple complex along with the nearby Hindu and Jain Temples at Halebidu have been proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Belur also has a samadhi believed to be of Raghavanka, the celebrated Kannada poet of the 13^th century.