Belur Chennakeshava Temple
The Hoysala Empire's former capital temple, begun in 1117 CE to commemorate a military victory — renowned for star-shaped platforms and sculptural friezes so detailed they took over a century to complete.
The Chennakeshava Temple at Belur was commissioned by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE, traditionally said to mark his victory over the Cholas, and construction is thought to have continued for over a century. Built on a star-shaped platform in soapstone, the temple is covered edge to edge in sculptural friezes — elephants, dancers, mythological narratives, and the famous madanikas (celestial maidens) — that represent the high point of Hoysala craftsmanship. Together with the nearby temples of Halebidu and Somanathapura, Belur was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023 under “Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.”
Getting there: Belur is about 220 km from Bengaluru and 40 km from Hassan town, and is commonly visited together with Halebidu, 16 km away. The post office is in Belur town, a short walk from the temple complex.
The site itself
Where to get your stamp cancelled
This may not be next to the site itself — some post offices serve several nearby landmarks.
- Post office
- Belur Post Office
- Pincode
- 573115
- Address
- Belur Post Office, Belur, Hassan District, Karnataka
Sources
- Project maintainer transcription of the physical Philately Passport booklet (district/landmark/post office list)
- Belur Hassan pincode/post office record — Goodreturns