Hassan 194 kms from Bangalore is the District Headquarters of Hassan. This quiet and peaceful town is a convenient base to visit Sharavanabelagola, Belur and Halebid. Hassan offers a wide variety of accommodation. It is well connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Around Hassan Belur This quaint hamlet - 38 kms from Hassan - is located on the banks of the river Yagachi. It was once capital of the Hoysala empire, today made unforgettable for its exquisite temples. The Shennakeshava temple is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. It took 103 years to complete this architectural marvel. The facade of the temple is filled with intricate sculptures and frescos, with no portion left blank.Elephants, episodes from the epics, sensuous dancers.. they are all there - awe-inspiring in their intricate workmanship.Hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars support the temple.
The Veeranarayana Temple and the smaller shrines are worth a visit. Halebid  | Halebid is 27 kms north-west of Hassan and 17 kms east of Belur. The temples of Halebid - like those of Belur - bear mute testimony to the rich, cultural heritage of Karnataka. The Hoysaleswara Temple, dating back to the 21th century, is astounding for its wealth of sculpture details. The walls of the temple are covered with an endless variety of Gods and Goddesses, animals, birds and dancing girls. Yet no two facets of the temple are the same. This magnificent temple - guarded by a Nandi Bull - was never completed despite 86 years of labour.
The Jain basdis nearby are equally rich in sculpture detail. |
Shravanbelagola 51 kms south-east of Hassan, Shravanbelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centres .The world's tallest monolithic statue27 m. high monolith of Lord Bahubali is situated here . Thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka a spectacular ceremony held once in 12 years, when the 1000-year -old statue is anointed with milk, curds ,ghee, saffron, and gold coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2005 A.D.
Shravanabelegola is 158 kms from Bangalore. |  |
Channarayapatna, Ramanathpur, Gorur and Manjarabad are the other places of interest around Hassan. Essentials Getting Here
Hassan is well-connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. Regular buses ply from Hassan to Belur, Halebid, Sravanabelagola and Arsikere.
There direct buses from Sravanabelagola to Arsikere,Hassan,Mysore and Bangalore. Accomodation
At Hassan you can stay at any of the following hotels:
- Hotel Amblee Palika. Tel:66307.
- Hotel Hassan Ashok..B.M.Road. Tel:68731
- Kotari Hotels. Station Road.
- Hotel Suvarna Arcade, B.M.Road. Tel: 67422/67433
At Belur, - Hotel Mayura Velapuri.Tel:2209.
At Halebid, Tourist Cottages of Tourism Department. Tel:3224. Shopping
Stone idols,sculptures and terra cotta items available here make good mementos. Eating out
Shantala Restaurant,
Sathyaprakash Lodge,
Malanika Restaurant
Hotel Amblee Palika. Tourist Information
Tourist Bureau, Dept.of Tourism, Sravanabelagola.Tel:54
If you need any assistance with booking in any hotel in Karnataka or India in general click here 
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