Belur is a small town in the Hassan district in Karnataka with a land area of 2.85 square kilometers. Belur used to be the capital of the Hoysalas until the capital was shifted to Halebid. Belur is renowned for its Chennakesava Temple complex. The maximum number of temples in Belur and Halebid were constructed during the reign of the fifth king of the Hoysala dynasty, Bittadeva, who was later rechristened as Vishnuvardhana.

Vishnuvardhana commissioned the construction of the Chennakesava temple in Belur to commemorate his grand triumph over the Cholas. It took 103 long years to complete the temple which was finally done in 1116. The temple derives its name from Keshava , the long haired form of Lord Krishna. The temple is an instance of the Hoysala architecture. Greenish-gray chlorite has been used in the construction of the temple with is graced with exquisite sculptures. Some of the sculptures are inspired by Ramayana and Mahabharata. Adjacent to the chief shrine is a shrine commemorated to the Kappe Chenning Raya . There is also a shrine dedicated to Somanayaki.

This shrine stands out from the rest because of its tower or the ‘vimana’. Behind the main temple there is yet another temple that has Goddess Lakshmi as then presiding deity. The exquisite craftsmanship of the period is testified by the carvings of elephants, lions, horses, episodes from the Indian mythological epics, and sensuous dancers called the Shilabalikas that are used to adorn the temple. One of the primary attractions of the Belur temple is Darpana Sundari or the Lady with the mirror carved on walls.