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Experiencing the Veera Narayana Swamy Temple

Writer's picture: Leena MohantyLeena Mohanty

One day, I was out for a walk with my friend, just chatting about random things, when she started talking about a temple she had visited a few days back. As she spoke, something about her completely changed. Her face lit up, and she closed her eyes like she was reliving the moment right there, almost as if the deity was standing before her.


She got so emotional and kept urging me to visit the temple, saying I had to experience what she felt during the darshan. The way she described it—so vivid and heartfelt—it gave me goosebumps. At that moment, I knew I had to plan this trip soon. It felt like something I couldn’t miss.


I set out on this trip to experience the beauty of this gem called the Veera Narayana Swamy temple in Belavadi, a stunning example of Hoysala architecture, completed way back around 1200 CE. It’s tucked away in this quaint little village in Chikkamagaluru district, about 40 kilometers north of Hassan and not too far from Halebidu. What struck me was how beautifully preserved it is—seriously, it felt like stepping into another era. The intricate carvings and the sheer scale of the temple left me in awe. I later found out it’s a nationally protected monument managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.


According to local legends, the village of Belavadi has a deep connection to the Mahabharata era. Back then, it was called Ekachakranagar. This is supposedly the place where Bheema, one of the Pandava princes, took down the demon Bakasura and saved the village and its people. How interesting is that? It’s amazing to think about how such epic stories might be tied to this tiny village!


The Veera Narayana Temple is this amazing trikuta (three-shrined) temple that dates back to 1200 CE. It was built by King Veera Ballala II of the Hoysala empire, and it’s made entirely of soapstone. All three shrines have their own complete superstructure, making it one of the largest temples the Hoysalas ever built. While Belur and Halebidu temples are famous for their jaw-dropping sculptures, this one stands out for its stunning architecture. The temple is built with three separate square sanctums, all connected by a massive square ranga-mandapa that’s 103 feet wide. The main shrine, facing east, is dedicated to Sri Veeranarayana (Vishnu), while the north-facing shrine is for Sri Venu Gopala, and the south-facing one is for Sri Yoga-Narasimha.


I honestly feel like I could go on forever describing how stunning this temple is, and it still wouldn’t do it justice. But let me tell you about what it felt like to actually be there.


We got there by this narrow road that led us straight to the temple. Once we arrived, we parked the car outside, and to our surprise, the place was so peaceful—hardly anyone around. There was just one other car parked there. As we walked in, the front façade of the temple with two majestic elephants guarding the entrance instantly took our breath away. And the elephants! There are 84 of them carved inside, and what’s amazing is that no two are alike. They all look like they’re ready for battle, each with its own unique personality. At the temple entrance, there are two larger elephants with bent legs, their bodies straining as if they’re pulling the entire temple like a massive chariot. It’s such a magnificent sight—it feels alive! And right in front of the temple stood this tall, elegant pillar that added to the grandeur.


Inside, we stepped into this massive mantapa with 108 pillars. I was stunned looking at them. They are polished so finely, and some even looked like they are wearing jeweled bands. While many of them looked similar, some were decorated with the most intricate carvings you can imagine—patterns, diagrams, and these beautiful compartments filled with detailed designs. It felt like stepping into another world. The ceilings are just as fascinating, with intricate panels showing scenes from leelas of Krishna.


As we walked further inside for darshan, the priest noticed us and followed. He kindly asked us to wait for a moment before switching on the light, making sure we had a proper view of the deity. The main shrine, dedicated to Lord Veera Narayana Swami, was the first part of the temple to be constructed, and it instantly commanded attention.


The deity stands on a lotus pedestal, facing 90 degrees opposite the east direction. In his upper hands, he holds a gada (mace) and a padma (lotus). The lower right hand is in Vyaghra Mudra, resembling a tiger’s pouncing paw, while the left is in Veera Mudra. Flanking him on either side are Sridevi and Bhudevi, adding to the divine aura. The prabhavali (the ornate arch) around the Lord is intricately carved with the ten incarnations of Vishnu. What stood out was the unique form of the Lord—it tells the story of Shakhasura Mardana, where Lord Narayana killed the demon Shakhasura. Because he used the Sankha (conch) and Chakra (discus) in that battle, those weapons are absent in his hands in this form. The priest also shared an amazing fact: every year, on March 23rd, the sun's rays pass through all seven doors of the temple complex and fall directly on the central deity. How incredible is that?


The priest was so calm and patient, letting us soak in the divine darshan at our own pace. Once we were done, he gently smiled, switched off the lights, and guided us to the next shrine. It was such a serene and fulfilling experience.


In front of the next shrine we stood in silence, staring at the dark space in front of us, waiting with a sense of quiet anticipation. Then, the priest switched on the light. For a moment, it felt like sunlight itself had poured in, illuminating the most breathtaking sight—the enchanting form of Krishna standing gracefully, his legs crossed, playing the flute.


My eyes widened in awe as time seemed to freeze. There he was, made of shaligrama shila, his dark form radiating an otherworldly charm, with a smile on his lips that was nothing short of magical. He stood beneath the Kalpavriksha, surrounded by gopis, gopalas, and sages like Sanaka and Sanandana, all beautifully carved into the prabhavali around him. It’s no surprise that this Krishna is considered the most exquisite deity of all the temples managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.


We stood motionless, completely mesmerized. His silver-like eyes seemed to shine with compassion, as if they were forgiving every mistake we had ever made and embracing us with infinite love. In that moment, nothing else existed—no worries, no thoughts, no sense of self—just the overwhelming presence of Lord Venugopala.


I could’ve stood there forever, lost in that divine gaze, but then my eyes caught sight of the priest patiently waiting nearby. Snapping back to reality, I bowed deeply, feeling a mix of gratitude and awe, and stepped back to make way for the next shrine. The priest waited until we had all moved away, then quietly switched off the light. That moment will stay etched in my heart forever.

We turned and walked toward the southern garbhagriha, right opposite to Lord Venugopala. There, in serene contrast, sat the deity of Yoga Narasimha. He was seated in Yoga Mudra, his posture calm and composed, with a Yoga Patta supporting his crossed legs on the Padma-Pitha.


As I gazed at him, his kind and benevolent eyes seemed to look straight into my soul, so gentle, so full of mercy. His hands rested lightly on his knees, radiating a quiet strength and assurance. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at his compassionate face. It felt as if he was silently telling me to let go of all my fears and worries and take refuge at his lotus feet. In his stillness, there was a voice—a call, as if he was gently reminding us that he is always there for us. If only we, with all our flaws and burdens, could let go of our ego and the trivial concerns of this fleeting life, and surrender ourselves completely to him, we would find the peace we’re searching for. Standing there, I felt a strange sense of comfort, a weight lifting from my heart. It was as if he was embracing us, inviting us to trust him unconditionally. That moment of connection felt eternal, and it left me deeply moved. We watched as the priest performed the aarti for Sri Yoga Narasimha, the flames dancing softly in the air.


As we stood in front of the three enchanting deities in the Veera Narayana Temple of Belavadi, it felt like the outside world just faded away. The deities, beautifully sculpted out of Shaligram Shila, seemed to hold us in their presence, as if time itself had paused. In that moment, we couldn’t help but feel incredibly blessed—blessed to be there, standing in front of the Lord's gaze. It was as if his eyes were pulling us into a space that was so serene, so heavenly. The divine energy surrounding us was palpable, filling the air with a sense of peace and deep connection. It felt like nothing else mattered, and we were completely transported to another world, one where everything was calm and pure. It was a truly sacred experience, and I couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for being in that place at that moment.


Sri Veera Narayana Swamy Temple, Belavadi
Sri Veera Narayana Swamy Temple, Belavadi

 

 

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