Chennakeshava Temple
Location
:
Belur, Karnataka
Built By
:
Hoysala King
Built In
:
1117 AD
To Commemorate
: An Important Military Victory
The Channekeshava Temple at Belur was constructed in the year 1116 to celebrate the victory of the Hoysala's over the Cholas at Talakad. Intricate carvings can be found on the interiors of the temple. The sensational seven storied gopuram is exceptionally beautiful with some breathtaking sculptures explicitly depicting the apres-temple activities of dancing girls. The temple is enclosed in a paved compound with a well and a bathing tank. Among others temples of Belur are the Channigaraya and the Viranarayana Temples.
Pillars:
Inside, in the staggering darkness gleam the good-looking handlathe-turned rounded pillars, each unique in its filigreed splendour. The Narasimha Pillar revolved on its ball bearings once.
A small space has been left on it to be sculpted by anyone who has the talent. It remains untouched till date.
Madanikas (Bracket Figures)
The four well-known bracket figures on the ornate ceiling are worth seeing. All these figures have been inspired by Shantala Devi's voluptuous beauty. Sculpted limbs undulate in lyrical lines. A dancer's fingers become
flowers.
One sculptured beauty communicates with a pet parrot whose tail is peacock-like while wrings water from her long hair and one can see the drops collected on hair-ends.
The 650 elephants charging on the frieze around the walls outside are all diverse from each other. The 38 Bracket figures on the walls are beautiful, pensive, playful and amorous women, lifting the temple to unprecedented heights of excellence.
At the lovely feet of a sumptuous spy, crawls a scorpion. She was slowly fed venom with milk till her body was drenched with it, then sent forth to put an end to the enemies of the Hoysalas with the kiss of death.
Gods perform miracles, devils do their bit and the life of the era is reflected in the carvings.
Shantala Devi
The jewellery is hollow and changeable. The gracefulness and attention to the tiniest details here are implausible. Each characteristic, bangle, strand of hair is carved with care. On the smooth circular platform in front of the shrine, the beautiful, talented Shantala Devi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana, danced in homage to Lord Chennakesava or Lord Krishna, beloved flute-playing deity of the Hindus.
Jakkanachari
The story behind the statues There is a beautiful story about the master sculptor and architect Jakkanachari, who left his wife and son to travel in his quest for a living and fame. Eventually, he approached the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana, a patron of the arts, and was employed to create the marvels of Belur.
There is an enormous Ganesha here, which proved to be the last of Jakkanachari's art. The image was so gorgeous that people from all over the country thronged to esteem it.
There was an amazed murmur from the crowd. Jakkanachari challenged the outsider to reveal the defect, for he could see none, and vowed to cut off his right arm if he were proved wrong. The boy struck Ganesha's navel, which devastated to unveil a frog swatting inside the damp stone.
The stone selection was obviously defective and the artist cut off his arm amidst great remembrance. The boy was no other than his forgotten son who had developed up to identify the art to perfection.
