Hassan is an ideal base to explore the heritage sites of Belur, Halebid, and Shravanbelgola famous for the remnants of the exalted Hoyasala period in Indian History. Situated around 33 km from Hassan, is Halebid, famous as a spiritual tourist attraction in Karnataka.

The prime tourist attraction in Halebid is the Hoyasaleswara temple. The construction of the Hoyasaleswara Temple was started in AD 1121 and continued for around 90 years, but never completed. Nevertheless, even in its incomplete form, this temple is the most outstanding example of Hoysala art and architecture. The temple comprises of two temples standing on a single platform. The walls of the temple have detailed friezes and sculptures depicting scenes narrated in Mahabharatha and Ramayana.Two massive monolithic bulls are also
carved inside the temple. The temple is enclosed by a garden and there is a museum -the Archaeological Museum, located in the temple premises displaying sculptures, woodcarvings idols, coins and inscriptions of 12th and 13th centuries also nearby.

Excursions from Halebid

There are also smaller temples like Kedareswara and three Jain temples at Basadi Halli, a group of Jain temples, famous for their highly polished blackstone pillars and carved ceilings. Shravanbelgola is located around 48 km off Hassan and is famous for the statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwar). The place is an important Jain pilgrimage center with an ancient history. The 17-m-high statue of Bahubali is said to be the tallest monolithic structure in the world.It overlooks
the small town of Shravanbelgola from top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri, which you can reach after climbing 614 rock -cut steps. It was also known as Dwarasamudra-gateway to the sea - indicating the numerous water bodies that must have been there at the time.

Fairs and Festivals in Halebid

There are no major fairs and festivals in Halebid. However, the Mahamastakabhisheka of the statue of Bahubali in Shravanbelgola after every 12 years is an occasion to remember. The statue is anointed with thousands of pots of coconut oil, yoghurt, ghee, bananas, jaggery, dates, almonds, poppy seeds, milk, saffron and sandalwood during this ceremony.

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