Hassan is an ideal base to explore the historical sites of Belur, Halebid, and Shravanbelgola.

Not much is known of the history of Hassan. It was under the control of great Hoysala Empire during 11th to 13th century AD. This was the period when the great temples of Belur and Halebid were constructed. The region of Hassan was also greatly influenced by Jainism and later it became a well-known center of Jain literature.

The present-day Hassan is the headquarters of the district by the same name and a convenient base for the tourists visiting Belur, Halebid and Shravanbelgola.

Belur is situated around 38 km from Hassan. The Channekeshava Temple at Belur is the only one of the three major Hoysala sites still in use. The construction of this temple started in AD 1116 to commemorate the victory of the Hoysalas over the Cholas at Talakad. It took around hundred years to complete the work. It is said that every Hindu deity has been represented at this temple. Guides can be hired to explain the detailed sculptural work. Other Hoysala temples at Belur are the Chennigaraya and the Viranarayana.

Situated around 33 km from Hassan is Halebid, famous for its Hoyasaleswara temple. The construction of the Hoyasaleswara Temple was started in AD 1121 and continued for around 90 years, but never completed. Nevertheless, even in its incomplete form, this temple is the most outstanding example of Hoysala art and architecture. Every part of the walls of this temple is covered by an endless variety of Hindu deities, sages, stylized animals, birds, and many other art forms. The temple is enclosed by a garden and there is a museum also nearby.

There are also smaller temples like Kedareswara and three Jain temples at Halebid.

Shravanbelgola is located around 48 km off Hassan and is famous for the statue of Lord Bahubali (Gomateshwar). The place is an important Jain pilgrimage center with an ancient history. The 17-m-high statue of Bahubali is said to be the tallest monolithic structure in the world. It overlooks the small town of Shravanbelgola from top of the rocky hill known as Indragiri. One can reach this hill after covering 614 rock-cut steps.

Accommodation in Hassan

There are enough decent accommodation options in Hassan and the scene is getting better every passing day. There are a number of star category hotels catering to the needs of tourists coming to explore Hassan or interesting in exploring the scenic region around.

In order to make the travel tour to Hassan even more joyful we at IndiaHotelsAndResorts.com offer just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Hassan. We at IndiaHotelsAndResorts.com can customize the tour package and offer the hotel accommodation. The reservations of the room can be made well in advance as per the requirements of the tour.


Hotels in Hassan