Hassan

Built in the 12th century, the temple is open to the public for a week, once a year only during the lunar month of Ashwayuja, during Diwali in October. It was originally built by the Hoysala dynasty in their tradition, reflecting their faith in Jainism.  The Hasanamba temple dedicated to Shakti is particularly significant and unique in many ways. There is an unusual image depicting Ravana from the epic Ramayana with nine heads instead of ten, playing the veena. The reason for this image in the inner sanctum sanctorum is unknown but is very interesting nevertheless.

It is a town that is popular for its Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Sadasiva Temple that are made from soapstone or Chloritic Schist. Nuggehalli is situated at a distance of 50 km from Hassan city on the Tiptur-Channarayanapatna state highway. Both the temples of Nuggehalli were constructed during the Hoysala period by Bommanna Dandanayaka, a commander during the reign of King Vira Someshwara. 

Belur, situated on the banks of river Yagachi is 38 km from Hassan and the town is renowned for its Chennakeshava temple, one of the finest examples of Hoysala workmanship. The temple was consecrated by the famous Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to mark his victories in 1116 AD against the Cholas and called it Vijaya Narayana. Halebeed temple is another great example of temple architecture the twin temples of Hoysaleshwara, Kedareshwara built by Vishnuvardhana and Ballala-II at Halabeed. Sequences from Ramayana, Mahabharatha & Bhagavatha are depicted on the outer walls of these temples. Hoysalaeswara Temple standing on a platform like a casket, richly endowed with most finelySculpture on Temple Wall detailed scroll work in stone.

The temples of Belur and Halebid are best known for their south Indian architecture. The temples are carved with scripts of Hindu mythology. Though Belur and Halebidu and just 16 kms away, they are always referred to as Belur and Halebidu as if they are one but indeed they are one in their grandeur of erstwhile era.