Belur in Karnataka has attracted innumerable tourists not only from the country but also from abroad. Belur Travel has become easy and convenient with the various modes of transport that are available in the city. The location of Belur has enhanced its importance in the tourism industry. The geographical coordinates of the city is 13º10’ North latitude and 75º52’ East longitude respectively.

The Belur city can be accessed via airways, railways and roadways. HAL Airport in Bangalore and Mangalore International Airport are the nearest international airports to the city. Some of the domestic and international airlines, which serve the airports, are:

Indian Airlines

Jet Airways

British Airways

Lufthansa Airlines

Thai Airways International

Singapore Airlines

Gulf Air

Air France

Air India

Air Deccan

Kingfisher Airlines

From the airport, buses and cars are available that go directly to Belur. The city is 222 kilometers away from Bangalore, while it is situated at a distance of 124 kilometers from Mangalore.

Hassan, which is about 40 kilometers from Belur, is the nearest railway station. It takes approximately one hour to reach Belur from Hassan. Belur is also connected with nearby railway junctions like Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore.

One can travel to Belur by regular bus services available from Bangalore, Mangalore, Halebid, Mysore, Hospet and Hassan. Hospet is almost 330 kilometers from Belur, while Halebid and Hassan are about 16 kilometers and 40 kilometers away respectively. Mysore is also at a distance of approximately 149 kilometers from the city. Apart from buses, there are also cars and taxis available to Belur.

The best time for Belur Travel is during the winter season, between October and March, when the weather is really pleasant and tourists can travel around the city comfortably. Arranging for accommodation in Belur is not a problem at all. There are numerous hotels in Belur of all ranges that cater to travelers and tourists of all budget classes. Some of the places of accommodation in Belur include:

Hotel Mayura Velapuri

Hotel Suvarna Regency

Sri Annapoorna Lodge

Traveller's Bungalow

Hotel Hassan Ashok

Sri Raghavendra Tourist Home

Sri Gayathri Bhawan

Hotel Southern Star

Sri Vishnu Lodge Travel to Belur includes visit to numerous places of attraction in the city. Halebid and Belur are like twin cities and were places of great importance during the Hoysala Empire. Belur is also known as ‘South Benaras” for the number of temples that are found in the city. The sculptures and paintings in the various temples of Belur are so lively that it creates a wonderful effect, when one steps inside these temples.

Chennakesava Temple Belur is one of the main attractions of the city. The temple was built in 1117 A D by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. Though a follower of Jainism, he changed his religion to Vaishnavism and the temple was built to record this change in religion. The raw material that was used in the construction of the temple was gray-green chlorite. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna. A six feet tall idol of Lord Krishna is placed in the temple.

The structure of the temple is very high and the walls measures to almost 132 meters by 120 meters. However the original temple measures to almost 53 meters by 47 meters. The charm of the temple begins at the entrance itself, where there is a gopuram. The five-storied structure of the gopuram is as old as 14th century. The outer walls of the temple have 645 elephant carvings, but the most interesting part is that none of the elephants are similarly carved.

The temple is beautifully sculptured. There are other small shrines within the premises of the Chennakesava Temple in Belur. There are shrines devoted to Kappe Chenniga Raya, Somanayaki, Vira-narayana, Venugopala and to Goddess Lakshmi. A sculpture of Shantala Devi, queen of King Vishnuvardhana is seen at a raised platform in the frontal part of the temple. The unique rounded pillars have enhanced the beauty of the temple to a great deal. There are also bracket figures in the Chennakesava Temple. There are also many carvings engraved on the walls of the temple in the interior side that depict mythological stories and events.

Apart from the temple, there are various other attractions in close proximity to Belur, Karnataka. There are also tour packages that are offered to the tourists visiting Belur. Belur acts as a center point in Karnataka, from where other places can be accessed via myriad modes of transport.