Dedicated to Chennakeshava, one of the manifestations of
Bhagvan Vishnu, Belur
Chennakeshava Temple Chennakeshava Temple
Chenna Keshava literally means the ‘beautiful Keshava’ in
Kannada language. An inscription near the northern entrance of the navranga
states that the deity was originally called as Vijayanarayana.
The main murti worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum is a
black murti (idol) of Chennakeshava holding Conch in the upper right hand,
discus in the upper left hand, lotus in the lower right hand and mace in the
lower left hand. The murti is 6 feet high. Chennakeshava is flanked by his
consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi.
The most important festival in the temple is the car
festival and is held during March – April.
The Chennakeshava temple is built on a star-shape plan.
There are numerous smaller shrines in the spacious courtyard. The temple walls
and pillars are intricately carved. The brackets and navrang are adorned with
beautiful figures.
The large Navrang Hall is noted for its polished pillars
and ceiling. The pillars are of three different sizes and designs, except for
the four pillars are of the centre. The most notable pillars are the Mohini
pillar on the south west. The eastern side of the pillar has a large bas-relief
of Vishnu in the enchanting form of Mohini, flanked by a Chauri bearer and a
Garuda. The impeccable Narasimha pillar to the south-east of the navranga used
to rotate on its own axis. It is well decorated.