We are here at Chennakeshwara Temple at belur, I have always read about this temple but today I get to document this place, Thousands of people come here everyday now to look at the beautiful sculptures made out of rock. These structures were constructed by the Hoysalas. This structure including all the temple carvings took them a total of 3 generations of 103 years to build the whole complex. Cholas were true patrons of Art and followed the intrinsic dravidian form of architecture to carve out idols out of hard rock. They have used all kinds of rocks like Soap stone, Granite and Kadapa stones for carving out these idols which made it interesting for outsiders. Today it's one of the UNESCOWorld heritage sites.

Chennakesava temple the main sanctum, also called as Kesava temple is in the middle of the complex, it is 178 feet by 156 feet. The temple stands on a wide platform terrace about 3 feet high. The main shrine's and most secured territory is the innermost sanctum which till date protects the enormous 20ft idol of lord Vishnu.
We weren't allowed to take photographs of the innermost sanctum due to very strong regulations. But one must agree In order to visualize the entire beauty one must see it for themselves.

The inner walls and the outer walls are sculptures made of soapstone the details are so intense it's tough for a good dslr to capture all of them. Here's one of the many. I shall be posting more soon.

The empire was known for its wealth,heritage,art and culture. Due to Muslim rulers looting these temples most of the idols were massacred for their treasury which contained heaps of gold and semiprecious gems. Many idols were brutally ransacked for days. Treasure found had to be carried back on elephants each time they raided a place.

Most of the idols were ransacked by the Mughal rulers for discontinues the traditions and to steal gold and semi precious gems embedded in them. Idols are carved with beautiful precision. There is no room for flaws in this place. Each idol is losing its story day by day. Left untold. Waiting for another cataclysmic event to wipe it all out.

This structure is over 25 feet tall and made of Kadapa stone which is less dense than Granite.
What's interesting part is that these pillars do not have a foundation at all.Every engineer knows that the foundation is the most important part of a structure.

All of the buildings today involve a foundation to avoid the building from collapsing during tremors and floods. Before they build the structure they dig deep into the ground depending on the height of the structure, The higher the structure the deeper the foundation and then raised above ground. This structure in Belur has absolutely no foundation whatsoever. They look like they were just placed next to each other.

Remember that this structure is over 30 feet tall and has withstood over 2 major earthquakes.

In the same compound we find yet another monolithic structure with NO foundation whatsoever.

You can see the gaps inbetween the rocks when you look closer.

It was once used as a torch during the grand festivals. This monolithic structure is over twice the size of the Mantap. The top of the structure is where the fire burned gloriously once, shedding light upon its wide vicinity. In those days with no lights around, the burning torch high in the sky must have been a splendid view.

How do you think this structure was erected ?

How do you think it withstood all major floods and earthquakes for over thousand years?

More carvings by the Cholas :

Ancient architecture #1