Belavadi, Chikmagalur Overview

Being a national heritage site and one of the prime attractions in Karnataka, Belavadi is just 29 km from Chikmagalur. It is a scenic village surrounded by a lush landscape that makes it a perfect place for one to relax. The village of Belavadi is believed to have a lot of historical significance due to the presence of the Veer Narayana temple which was constructed by the Hoysalas and for the legend of Belavadi Mallamma who was a fearless warrior and queen who fought against Shivaji, the Maratha King thereby winning his admiration in the 17th century AD.

Belavadi has now been divided into two parts with almost all the people residing in the new town which lies in the north-eastern direction. At present, almost nobody resides in the old Belavadi. This beautiful village should fall on your list of must-visit places. It is a perfect getaway for you to unwind and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. In case you are planning a trip to Chikmagalur, this is one place you would not like to miss out on.

Veer Narayana Temple Belavadi

The main attraction of the Belavadi village is the Veera Narayan Temple which was constructed by Veera Bhallala II who was the Hoysala King in the 13th century. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is by far the best example of the Hoysala architecture. There is a square garbhagriha, Ranga mandapa, square maha mandapa, and a sukanasi in the west side of the temple. The entire temple is built on a raised platform out of soapstone in two phases. There are three vimanas in the temple along with the shrines of Lord Krishna, and Lord Narayana added to it.

The temple has a huge entrance with two carved elephants present on either side of the gate. There is an 8 feet tall image of Veera Narayana with four hands on the main shrine. There is another Ganesha temple which is situated at a distance of 300 meters from the Veera Narayana Temple and worth a visit. The temple remains open from 6:00 AM till 6:00 PM.