Hassan District is one of the 30 districts of Karnataka state located in the south-western part of Karnataka in India. The district has had an eventful and rich history. In the past, it reached the height of its glory during the rule of the Hoysalas who had their capital at Dwarasamudra, the modern Halebeed in Belur Taluk. The district noted for its enchanting natural scenic beauty is also a veritable treasure-house of Hoysala architecture and sculpture, the best specimens of which are at Belur and Halebeed. Shravanabelagola, in Channarayapatna taluk, which is studded with Jain monuments, is a renowned center of pilgrimage for the Jains.
About the District:
Kargil Vijai Divas
GEOGRAPHY:
Lying between 12° 13´ and 13° 33´ North latitudes and 75° 33´ and 76º38´ East longitude, Hassan district has a total area of 6826.15 Sq. Kms. The greatest length of the district, from south to north, is about 129 kilometers, and its greatest breadth, from east to west, is about 116 kilometers. The District which has 8 taluks 38 hoblies & 2369 villages. The geographic area of the district of Hassan is 6845 square kilometers. The population is 15.67 lakhs and the average rainfall is about 1031 mms annually. Coffee, Black Pepper, Potato, Paddy and Sugarcane are the major agricultural crops. Hassan district lies partly in the "malnad" tract and partly in the southern "maidan"(plains) tract. By considering the physical aspects, climate, rainfall, etc. the district may be divided into three regions, viz., (1) southern malnad, (2) semi-malnad and (3) southern maidan. western and north-eastern portions of the Belur taluk, western and central parts of Alur taluk and the whole of Sakaleshapura taluk constitute the "southern malnad" region, the central parts of the Arkalgud taluk, the western portion of the Hassan taluk, the eastern portion of the Alur taluk, the central and eastern parts of the Belur taluk and the western parts of the Arasikere taluk form the "semi-malnad" region. The southern maidan region includes the whole of the Holenarasipura and Channarayapatna taluks, eastern parts of the Arasikere and Hassan taluks and the south-eastern portions of the Arkalgud taluk. The southern malnad is a forest-clad hilly region with a heavy rainfall.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
HISTORY
Hassan District was under the reign of Mouryas of North in the 3rd BC and later kingdoms of Kadambas, Chalukyas, Gangas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagar empire. The Hoysalas brought world wide acclaim to the district through their unique style of temple architecture.v
Origin of Name
Like most of the other districts in the State, this district also derives its name from its headquarters town, Hassan. According to the Sthalapurana, the name 'Hassan' is a contraction or derivative of 'Simhasanapura', associated with janamejaya, a great grandson of the Pandava hero, Arjuna. But the popular belief is that the place is called Hassan after the goddess Hassan-amma or Hasanamba, the presiding deity of the local Hasanamba temple situated in the old town area. Hasanamma or Hasanamba means, in Kannada, a smiling mother or goddess. In this connection, a traditional story, as to how the goddess Hasanamba came to be established at this place, is narrated thus : The Saptamatrikas (seven mothers or goddesses), in the course of their journey from Varasasi (Kashi) to the South, were pleased with the scenic splendour of this area and decided to make it their abode. Accordingly, of the seven mothers, who were sisters, three settled at Hassan and another three in a tank called Devigere, also in Hassan proper, and were called Hasanamba, while the other one settled in a forest near Kenchammana-Hosakote in Alur taluk and was called Kenchamba.
The mere mention of Hassan resonates with the names of Belur-Halebeed and Sravanabelagola. The temples at Belur & Halebeed are the mute testimony to the highest peak of Sculpting skills, that man has ever achieved.
BELUR
Belur, situated on the banks of river Yagachi, 38 km from Hassan, is a world-famous tourist destination. Belur was the erstwhile capital of the Hoysalas and referred to as Velapur, Velur and Be lahur at different points in history. 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 the Vijaya Narayana.
THE TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
The Hoysalas used soft soapstone for their structures as they were found suitable for intricate carvings. Enclosed by a Prakara with a Gopurabuilt in the Vijayanagar style, the temple stands on a platform or Jagati and looks like a huge casket. The fine workmanship and skill visible in this masterpiece is truly breathtaking.
THE SCULPTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA
The Chennakesava temple is a fine example of fine quality work of art in stone. There are more than 80 Madanika sculptures in the temple, dancing, hunting, standing under canopies of trees and so on. The 4 Madanika figures (striking elegant dancing poses) on the wonderfully engraved columns of Navaranga are unique creations of Hoysala workmanship. The Garbhagriha is stellar in shape and its zigzag walls make the figures of 24 forms of Vishnu look different at different times of the day due to light. The temple was built by master craftsmen - Dasoja and Chavana, a father and son duo, hailing from Balliganve, a centre of Kalyana Chalukya art in Shimoga district. It is said that Shantaladevi, the accomplished queen of King Vishnuvardhana is the model for one of the sculptures in the Vavaranga - Darpana Sundari. This work of art alone, speaks for the beauty of the magnificient temple. The temples of Kappe Chennigaraya, Soumyanayaki, Andal and other Vaishnava manifestations surround this main temple. Belur also has a samadhi believed to be of Raghavanka, the celebrated Kannada poet of the 13th century.​
How to reach here.......?
It is about 38 Km from Hassan. Regular Bus services and tourist taxies are available from Hassan.
HALEBEED
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. The efficiency and experience of the sculpture, who had carved these stories in stone is bewitching.
Hoysalaeswara Temple standing on a platform like a casket, richly endowed with most finelySculpture on Temple Wall detailed scroll work in stone. Inside its dark depths, the queen Shantala Devi beckons from an alcove. The figure of mortals and immortals are larger compared to Belur and are beautifully chiseled, in shining black stone. The walls of the temples are covered with variety of gods and goddesses, animals , birds and dancing girls. There is a museum on the lawn with 12-13th century sculpture and the gold coins in use at the time. The temple faces a large tank which was built in the middle of the 11th century and received water through channels from an ancient anecut (dam) built over the Yagachi river. The Kedreshwara temple where the sculptor's virtuosity seems to have surpassed even the goldsmith's skill in its sheer intricacy.
One Km from Halebeed is Basti Hill where there are Jain Basties with gleaming black stone pillars.