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A
picturesque and a peaceful town, Hassan holds very little interest
on its own. But as a gateway to famous archeological sites Belur,
Halebid and Shravanabelgola, it is world renowned. Millions come
here on the way to the splendorous temples and the Jaina pilgrimage
replete with fascinating statues and relics. While giving glimpses
of the architectural glories of the yore, the town is also the
launching pad for India's leap into space-ISRO's rocket launching
station is here.
How to get here:
Air: Hassan does not have an airport. The nearest airport is
Bangalore
Rail: Hassan is connected to Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore
by regular trains.
Road: Hassan is linked with Belur, Halebid, Shravanbelgola,
Bangalore and Mysore by road.
| Places to visit |
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Belur
Once the capital
of the Hoysala Empire, this quaint hamlet is still memorable
for its exquisite temples. The Chennakeshava took 103 years
to complete and is a masterpiece. Exquisite sculptures and
friezes are intricately carved on the facade with not an
inch left blank. Elephants, episodes from the epics,
sensuous dancers fill the glorious temple and the
hand-lathe-turned filigreed pillars inside are awesome. The
Veeranarayana Temple and the other smaller shrines are also
marvelous. |
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Halebid
Located 27 Kms,
it too was the capital of Hoysala. The 12th century
Hoysaleswara Temple here is majestic for its intricate
details. Myriad gods and goddesses, animals, birds and
dancing girls gambol on the walls of the temple with each
figure being different, each carving an exquisite example of
an eye for detail. This stupendous temple, guarded by a
Nandi Bull - was however never completed .The Jain basadis
nearby are equally exquisite with magnificent sculptural
details. |
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Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola
is an important Jaina centre and has a pond and two stony
hills, called Chandragiri and Indragiri as points of
interest. Chandragiri has the Chandragupta basadi with the
Parashwanatha basadi as the biggest. The town below the hill
has a Jaina matha with walls adorned with very old paintings
. Indragiri contains the massive nude Gommata monolith, 58'
tall, installed. Other attractions include Siddhara basadi,
Odegal basadi, Chennanna basadi and Chauvvisa Tirthankara
basadi, as also the finely engraved pillar with superb
floral designs called Tyagada Brahma Pillar.
Shravanabelagola displays 500 inscriptions, with some are
recording death by starving (`sallekhana') by Jaina ascetics
and laymen. |
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Gorur Dam
The
Hemavathi forms a reservoir called Hemavathi Reservoir here
.While the paravasudeva Temple stands at the entrance; the
temple of Yoganarasimha is the main attraction. Thousands
participate in the daily rituals of poka and the annual car
festivals of both the temples.
Other popular points of interest are Hasanamba Shrine,
a temple with an anthill representing the deity Hasanamba,
that holds a fair 'Jara' once a year. The District Museum
of Hassan displays some splendid sculptures, paintings,
weapons, and coins. |
Unique Shopping
Stone idols, sculptures
and terra cotta items available here make good mementos. |
