indian heritage passport program on the hoysala trail in karnataka

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3Karnataka-UNESCO Hoysala Trail

Tourism in India faces special challenges. It is

unevenly distributed, with the great majority of

itineraries focused on a limited number of

destinations, especially the emblematic UNESCO World

Heritage sites. Excessive numbers of tourists not only

threaten the conservation of these sites but undermine

the quality of the visitors’ experience as well.

Lack of connectivity between sites, poor infrastructure

for visitors and the lack of quality guides are further

obstacles to the development of tourism. In addition,

while airlines and big hotel chains benefit economically

from tourism, there is limited local economic gain.

There is an urgent need to enhance tourism

management of World Heritage sites, but also to

develop other destinations – lesser known but equally

awesome and representative of other aspects of India’s

richly varied heritage.

Tourism fosters mutual understanding between nations

Foreword

Karnataka is blessed with an incredible range of

cultural and natural heritage which constitutes

the State’s core tourism resources. However, in

trying to making these resources a source of

sustainable local development, it is not enough

simply to tap into them: the way in which we do so

matters a lot.

Tourism is one of the fastest growing business sectors

in India, contributing to 6% of the country’s GDP, but

it is currently a double-edged sword. Its impact on

the environment is often negative; the majority of

the revenue generated by large international tour

operators tends not to flow to the destination but

back to the operator’s home country; and revenues

derived from the marketing of natural and cultural

heritage are rarely directed to the preservation of

that same heritage.

To counter such contradictions, Karnataka Tourism

Department has committed itself to a bottom-up

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Karnataka-UNESCO Hoysala Trail4

and cultures and promotes cultural diversity, exchange

and pluralism. If carefully designed, it can also be a

catalyst for growth, contributing to local development

and empowerment.

In support of the Indian Government’s efforts to link

tourism with local empowerment, UNESCO launched

the concept of the Indian Heritage Passport

Programme in September 2006, with the endorsement

of the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture. The

Heritage Passport Programme is a means to market

quality tourism destinations, facilities and initiatives

which encourage the holistic protection and promotion

of local cultural and natural heritage, the education of

travellers, and concern for the local environment and

local employment generation. Only those tourism

destinations and facilities complying with several of the

above criteria will be promoted under the Heritage

Passport label.

Karnataka is one of five States that have agreed to

launch pilot projects for the programme. The present

Hoysala Heritage Itinerary will be one of the itineraries

to be promoted under the Heritage Passport

Programme.

This concept paper, identifying the challenges and

opportunities for the integrated heritage tourism

itinerary in the Hoysala region, is the result of two field

surveys conducted by a UNESCO team in October and

approach, searching for ways to make local

populations the main actors in tourism development.

Travellers nowadays are increasingly sophisticated

and want not just to “see the sights” but also to

experience and understand local traditions and to

contribute to local empowerment. If the business of

tourism is to be successful and sustainable, it must

therefore be locally sensitive and ethically correct.

These concerns for responsible tourism naturally led

us to partner with UNESCO in the development of the

Indian Heritage Passport Programme, designed to

brand quality heritage tourism under the aegis of

UNESCO. I am pleased to note that the proposed

itinerary on Hoysala Heritage is one of the first pilot

projects of this innovative programme.

This concept paper on Hoysala Heritage was

presented to the Government of Karnataka in June

2007, on the occasion of an inter-departmental

meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary of the

Government of Karnataka. This meeting laid the

groundwork for all relevant public departments to

adopt a concerted action plan towards heritage

based development of the Hoysala region.

A Coordinating Committee was established further to

the meeting, comprised of the Departments of

Tourism, Town Planning, and Public Works as well as

the Archaeological Survey of India and District

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December 2006, with generous funding support from

the Karnataka Department of Tourism. It is our great

pleasure to be associated with such a dynamic partner,

and I thank the State Government of Karnataka for its

unfailing commitment in supporting UNESCO’s effort

towards sustainable heritage tourism.

Vittala Murthy

Secretary,

Kannada & Culture Information & Tourism Department

Minja Yang

Director and UNESCO Representative for

Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives

Commissioner. This Coordinating Committee is

charged with implementing the project. UNESCO may

rest assured of the Government of Karnataka’s

commitment in jointly pursuing responsible heritage

based tourism for local empowerment.

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Honourable Minister, Mr. H.D. Revanna

Mr. I.M. Vittala Murthy, Secretary to Govt. of Karnataka, Dept. of Kannada & Culture, Information & Tourism

Mr. G. Kumar Naik, Commissioner, Department of Tourism, Karnataka

Mrs Adilakshamma, Department of Tourism, Hassan District

Mr. Subhas Basu, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan

Mr. C. S. Prakash, Zilla Panchayat Member

Mr. M. G. Jagannath, Tahsildar, Belur

Mr. Nagraj, Chief Executive Officer, Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

Officials of the Archaeological Survey of India, Belur

Dr. Srivatsa Vati, historian, Belur

Mr. Y.R. Lokesh, consulting engineer and building contractor, Belur

SUI drawing and research team: Mr. Amit Chanchal, Ms. Dharanya Kishore, Ms. Anuradha Naulakha,

Mr. K. S.Srikanth, and Mr. Chandan Kumar

UNESCO Survey Team MembersDr. Jyoti Hosagrahar

Mr. Yushi Kawaguchi

Mr. Pascal Trahan

Ms. Suman Dekane

Mr. Jagdish Todad

Ms. Moe Chiba

Acknowledgements:


Table of Contents

• Hoysala Tourism Today..............................................................9

• The Indian Heritage Passport Program....................................11- Key Concepts- Heritage Oriented Development of Hoysala Region,

Karnataka

• Hoysala Heritage Region.........................................................13- A History- Icons- Temples- Lakes and Irrigation- Typical Urban Elements- Ambience

• Regional Architectural Identity................................................28- Temple Architecture- Lakes, Ghats and Mantapas- Commercial Streets and Structures- Elements of Larger Houses- Courtyards and Roofscapes- Elements of Smaller Houses- Entrance Porch and Sitting Areas (Jagli and Khamba)- Decorative Doors, Windows, and Columns

• Regional Cultural Identity........................................................47- Craftsmanship- Folk Traditions


• Microcosm of Hoysala Heritage: Belur....................................53- Town- Temple- Ambience, Streets, and Roofscapes- Architectural and Urban Elements- Housing Typology

• Challenges to Tourism Development: Belur.............................60

• Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in Belur...................63- Planning and Stakeholder Partnerships for Growth- Growth without Planning and Stakeholder Partnerships- Planned Growth- Proposed Heritage Itineraries Around Belur- Heritage Related Activities: Potentials of Belur- Focus of Heritage Tourism, Belur- Investment Opportunities in Heritage Accommodations, Belur- Investment Opportunities in ‘Dispersed’ Hotels / Home Stays- Vacant Sites for Hotels in and Around Belur- Vacant or Under-Utilized Properties for Redevelopment in

and Around Belure Fort- Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships for Heritage

Tourism in Belur- Government Responsibilities, Belur- Present Costs of Construction in Belur

• The Indian Heritage Passport Program:..................................85- On the Hoysala Trail in Karnataka

• Sources and Credits................................................................86


Hoysala Tourism Today

HalebeeduBelur

Hassan Bangalore

Bangalore to Hassan: 190km (3.5 hours)

Hassan to Belur: 38km (45 minutes)

Belur to Halebeedu : 16km (30 minutes)

UNESDOC

Note

Map partially illegible


Currently, there are no trains from

Bangalore to Hassan. Typically, tourists

from Bangalore travel by road to Hassan,

stay overnight, and visit Belur and

Halebeedu from there. Trains do run from

Mysore to Hassan but tourists still have to

stay overnight at Hassan and go by road

from Hassan to Belur and Halebeedu.

Low season: 1000 tourists /day

High season: 3000 tourists/day

Typical Travel Itinerary (3 days)Day 1: Bangalore - Hassan (Arriving in afternoon or evening)

Overnight stay at Hassan

Day 2: Hassan - Belur (morning)

Visit: Chennakeshava Temple

Belur - Halebeedu (afternoon)

Visit: Hoysaleshwara temple

(Kedareshwara and Jain temples optional)

Halebeedu – Hassan (evening)

Overnight stay at Hassan

Day 3: Hassan - Bangalore (morning)

Chennakeshava temple, Belur

Hoyasaleswara temple, Halebeedu


• Using heritage based tourism as a vehicle for local development

• Expanding cultural value of heritage sites and extending tourism to lesser known sites

• The urban heritage sites would integrate:

– core historic monuments

– other historic structures

– Settlement features and natural environment

– Intangible cultural practices

• Includes the identification and promotion of intangible heritage such as:

– traditional skills for building and architecture

– crafts including wood, metal, and textiles

– festivals

– performing arts

– cuisine

• Developing a “regional” heritage-based tourism beyond individual monuments

– Requires identifying structures, landscape elements and cultural practices

– Mobilizing all available cultural resources (beyond single monuments)

to provide tourists with diverse experiences

– Ensuring a conservation stake for local communities and local economic development

• Bring together UNESCO, State government, private sector, NGOs, local artists and crafts people towards

heritage based tourism

The Indian Heritage Passport Program

Key Concepts


The region identified for the Hoysala Trail in Karntaka consists of Belur,

Halebeedu, and several towns in the vicinity mainly in Hassan district with

a couple of places in Chikamagalur district.

The Hoysala heritage in the region consists of several settlements with grand

temples, other historic structures including forts and lakes, vernacular houses

and buildings, natural elements, and intangible cultural practices. Together

these make up a unique cultural landscape.

The Indian Heritage Passport Program Involves:

• Identifying, safeguarding, enriching, and managing the heritage

character of the region

• Support for heritage tourism oriented investments and development

opportunities

• Improved facilities and products for tourism

• Improved economic opportunities and infrastructure for local

communities

Heritage Oriented Development of Hoysala Region, Karnataka

The Indian Heritage Passport Program


• The Hoysala Kings ruled in Southern India from 1000 AD to

about 1346 AD. The capital of the empire was initially

based in Belur and later moved to Halebeedu.

• From the inscriptions, coins, evidence of trade and

revenues, temples, and depictions of daily life in the

extensive sculptural work on the temple exteriors, we

believe that prosperity reigned in the empire.

• The Hoysala Kings were great patrons of art and

architecture. Religious freedom, dance, and literature, both

Kannada and Sanskrit, also flourished under Hoysala rule.

• The Hoysalas built numerous temples with a distinctive

architectural style that were ornamented with exquisite

sculptural detail on the exterior depicting scenes from the

Ramayana and Mahabharata as well as daily life.

• Of the 1500 structures said to have been built by the

Hoysalas, about a hundred temples have survived to date.

Of these the Belur Chennakeshava and the Hoysaleshwara

temple at Halebeedu stand out as outstanding artistic

achievements.

Hoysala Empire, 11th century

Hoysala Heritage Region

A History


• A mythological (or historical) event of a young boy bravely

killing a tiger with his bare hands was adopted by the Hoysalas

as their emblem.

• King Vishnuvardhana started the construction of the

Chennakeshava temple at Belur in 1117 AD in

commemoration of his victory over the Cholas.

• The finely carved temple took 103 years to build and was

completed by his grandson, Veera Ballala II.

• Subsequently the temple was added to by several kings. The

Vijayanagara Kings added the main gopuram at the entrance

as well as some shrines and mantapas within the temple

complex.

• Hoysaleshwara temple at Halebeedu was built in 1145AD by

the Narasimha I.

• Halebeedu was a large fortified city, and was supplied with

water from Yagachi river, more than 13 kms away

• Halebeedu was known as Dorasamudra, capital city of the

Hoysalas at the end of the 11th century. The fortified large city

was several times the size of the present village and contained

numerous temples within it.

• The Hoysalas constructed numerous stepped wells, canals,

lakes, and sluice gates. They are believed to have channeled

water from the Yagachi River near Belur to bring water to

Halebeedu more than 13km away.

A young boy killing a tiger with his bare hands

depicted the Hoysala dynasty


Intricately carved stone temples in a star shaped plan.

Hoysala Heritage RegionIcons

Entrance gopuraim of Chennakeshava temple, Belur Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu


A variety of lakes, tanks, and stepped wells

Hulikere


• Finely detailed sculptures in

soap stone around the

exterior walls of the temple.

• Lathe turned stone pillars for

temple mantapas.

Sculpture

Hoysala Pillar

Mythological and Iconography


• Fortifications around the

historic settlements.

• Stone tablets with inscriptions

in Kannada and Sanskrit.

Fort Wall remains ar Banavara Tablet with the beginnings ofKannada Language at Halmidi


Temples dedicated to different

religious sects including Vaishnava,

Shaiva, and Jain. For example,

Vishnu temple at Belur, Shiva temple

at Halebeedu, and Jaina Basadi at

Halebeedu.

Jaina Basadi at Halebeedu


Chennakeshava temple, Belur


In a typical Hoysala town, a main temple occured at the center

of the town within the fortified area. The temples were made out

of balapada kallu or soap stone and were elaborately carved.

The temples were built on a platform 3-5ft high and had a star

shaped plan. The stone pillars were turned in lathes. The

temples were not built high but are exquisitely sculpted. The

temples do not have a pradakshina path inside but are typically

located in an angala.

Temples

Key Map Showing the temple location

Temple at Belavadi


Hoysaleswara temple, Halebeedu

A temple may have up to four garbagriha or shrines

within the main temple. The circumambulation path

was usually provided on the platform outside the

temple rather than within. A navaranga was usually

included as a place for people to gather and

participate in cultural programs such as music and

dance performances, story-telling from mythology, and

religious discourses.

Mosale Temple


Key Map showing the temple location

Doddagaddavalli Temple


Water bodies were a significant feature of Hoysala

settlements. We see evidence of many lakes, tanks, and

stepped wells built by the Hoysalas. The larger water

bodies were probably created in low lying areas.

Mantapas (pavilions) and shrines are evident around the

water. Some of the water bodies are dry beds today. But

old sluice gates are still in evidence. The water bodies

likely served the dual purpose of providing a source of

water for irrigation and consumption as well as

rainwater harvesting and recharging of groundwater.

Lakes and Irrigation

Sluice Gates Vishnusamudhra, Belur

Haranhalli



According to some sources water from the Yagachi

River near Belur was carried in a channel 13km long

to the Dwarasamudra Lake at Halebeedu. This

channel is believed to have brought water to the new

capital for irrigation and consumption. Although a

dry bed today, what is considered evidence of this

channel can still be seen in many places.

Halebeedu DwarasamudraOld Water Channel from Yagachi River to Halebeedu


• Kote (fort) and pete (commercial center)

formed the town

• Temple at the center on elevated

platform

• Wide processional path around temple

• Well, puhkarni, or tank within or

adjacent to temples

• Narrow winding streets

• Houses of temple priests and brahmins

around temples.

• Fort wall with moat around

• Lake with ghats (steps) and mantapa

(pillared pavilion)

• Rice fields around the town

Hoysala Heritage RegionTypical Urban Elements

Dorasamudhra (Halebeedu) Historic Map


• Many houses are 80-300 yrs old.

• Street patterns are old and largely pedestrian.

• White walls

• Winding stone-paved streets

• Clay tiled sloping roofs

• Single or double storied houses with ornate doors

• Wooden pillars along a sitting ledge or porch in front of

the house.

• Trees and shrubs especially in the back yards

Hoysala Heritage RegionAmbience

Arkere DoddagaddavalliBelavadi


Handmade clay tiles, decorative brackets and

columns add to the ambience of the historic

towns.

Arkere

Doddagaddavalli

Adugur


The vernacular homes,

streets, neighborhoods and

shops are an important aspect

of the heritage of the region.

The spatial patterns and

architectural features are

rooted in the distinctive culture

and environment of the region.

Regional Architectural Identity



In addition to the magnificent and classical architecture of

the temples, the region is rich in a variety of architectural

forms and visual elements that give it a unique identity

Temple Architecture


Lakes, tanks, and stepped wells are

typical in these settlements. Larger

towns may have more than one lake.

The larger water bodies were sometimes

created in low lying areas by channeling

water from a river. Sometimes natural

lakes or low lying land were expanded

upon. In most cases, the water bodies

had stone steps going to the water at

least on one side.

Regional Architectural IdentityLakes, Ghats and Mantapas

Vishnusamudhra, Belur


These ghats made the water accessible and

easily usable. Mantapas, or open pavilions

around the water bodies also provided shelter

to visitors and a place to cook, and to perform

rituals.

Doddagaddavalli

Koravangal


Some water bodies are vast lakes and others very small

stepped wells. Mantapas as resting places or shelters

also occur in other places away from water bodies such

as one near Pushpagiri.

Pushpagiri

Dwarasamudhra, Halebeedu


Regional Architectural IdentityCommercial Streets and Structures

The commercial buildings on the main

commercial streets in the region are rapidly

demolishing older buildings to build new

concrete slab structures. However, double

storied commercial buildings, with tiled roofs

are characteristic in the region. The lower level

has wide openings for shops and the upper

level may be commercial or residential.


A narrow covered walkway is sometimes present in

front of the ground level stores. Wooden columns,

brackets, and balconies are typical.


The very large houses are elaborate

examples of residential buildings in the

region. Often located on higher ground, they

have exquisitely carved wooden columns,

brackets, and doors. The layout once

included a complex of buildings around

several paved courtyards.

Elements of Larger Houses


Plan of a house


A three level entrance jagli or verandah

established both the status of the owner as well

as created a space for people to gather and

watch the official proceedings at the highest

platform.


The entrance and reception areas are particularly

impressive. Wooden beams and rich wood

paneling covers the ceiling.


Paved courtyards are typical in many of the

neighborhoods. They connect a complex of

buildings and provide private open spaces for

extended families. Double pitched tiled roofs

form a characteristic roofscape.

Curving streets are

marked by single and

double storied

structures with

doublepitched

and hipped

roofs

Regional Architectural IdentityCourtyards and Roofscapes


Variations in height, non-orthogonal

streets, a gradually unfolding sequence

of movements, and non-symmetrical

layouts result in a variety of roofscapes

that are similar to each other and yet

different enough to be non-monotonous.



There are many ordinary houses in these towns that

are 80-200 years old (some are even older) and have

characteristic architectural features that make them

unique. Earth walls painted white contrast with red

country tiles, and dark wood and red oxide or earth

finished floors.

Elements of Smaller Houses


An entrance verandah or jagli with ornate

wooden columns and brackets, and ornate

wooden doors and windows are typical

features. While some of the larger houses

have a courtyard around which the dwelling

structures are arranged, for others, paved

spaces between houses create community

spaces and courtyards.


Entrance Porch and Sitting Areas (Jagli and Khamba)


The entrance verandah and wooden

pillars form the most characteristic and

interesting architectural feature. The

jagli verandah is often raised by 2ft from

the street and serves as a sitting area to

receive people and socialize with

neighbors.


Although a few houses may use stone

columns or khamba, most use wood. Some

jagli are more like a ledge or platform in

front of the house and do not have pillars or

a roof over them.


Decorative Doors, Windows, and Columns


Wealth and status were

expressed in the ornamentation

of the jagli and entrance pillars as

well as in the carving of the main

doorway. In some old houses the

internal doors were also carved.

Balcony railings were carved of

wood or wrought iron.


Wooden columns and beams were used along with earth walls

and floors. The sizes of the rooms depended on having a large

number of columns. Some of the oldest houses have 4-8 heavy

pillars to create a single large space that is the main living area.

These pillars were often ornately carved and surmounted with

carved brackets on which the beams were supported. With

subdivisions in recent times, only a single large, ornately carved

pillar and bracket are visible.


Fine craftsmanship is a valuable heritage of the Hoysala

region. In addition to stone carving and sculpting, wood

carving, and hand made clay tiles are only some

examples.

Regional Cultural IdentityCraftsmanship


Exquisite stone sculptures and carving as in the

temples and equally fine woodwork in the

ordinary houses. There are still a few skilled

woodworkers who make temple chariots or

exquisitely carved rathas.


In addition to wood carving, relief sculptures and

painting on wood is also a well developed

heritage.

Soap stone, abundant in the area, is carved

into objects sold as souvenirs for tourists. There

is no design or marketing input available to these

people at the moment.


Temple rathas or chariots and their

decoration is another type of traditional

craft that continues to be practiced.

Ashvarohanothsavam, Belur

Maharathothsavam at Belur Chennakeshava temple.

Ratha festivals are held annually and draw

large number of people from the region.


Some festivals, such as Theppothsava are no longer possible because the

pond where it was carried out is now unclean and filled with silt. In the

Theppadakola where small boats carrying the deity were floated on the water

for the festival.

Regional Cultural Identity

Festivals are an important

aspect of the cultural heritage

of the Hoysala region. Each

temple has specific holidays

and festivals associated with

them. Many of these have

been carrying on for a few

centuries, many others have

died out. During Rathothsava

or car festival a smaller form of

the temple’s deity

(uthsavamuruthy) is decorated

and carried with pomp and

splendor on carved wooden

chariots in circumambulation

around the temple.

Sometimes the festivities

could last several days. The

traditions of rathothsava go

back several centuries.Karthika Deeposthsavam at Chennakeshava temple, Belur.

Folk Traditions


The intangible heritage of the region also

includes a large variety of dance and music

forms. From classical temple dance forms such

as Bharatnatyam to folk dances, classical

carnatic music to numerous devotional forms,

storytelling, drumming, and group singing, the

region is rich in folk performance space in

every temple is eveidence to the integral role of

the performing arts.

Varieties of performing arts

Exquisite local cuisine


Within the present township of Belur,

the historic area includes the

Chennakeshava temple complex, the

remains of the fort wall and moat,

and the lakes to the north and south.

Microcosm of Hoysala Heritage: Belur

Belur Town

The remainder of this report will focus on the historic town of

Belur as a microcosm of Hoysala heritage in the region.

Town


Microcosm of Hoysala heritage: Belur

The most prominent element of Belur is

the historic Chennakeshava temple

complex located at the center of the

fortified area. This temple was first

established by the Hoysala king,

Vishnuvardhana in 1117, ACE. The main

temple took 103 years to build.

Susequent rulers, the Vijayanagaras, the

Nayakas, and the Mysore Wodeyars all

made additions and alterations to the

temple complex to create the remarkable

monument we see today.

Temple


An aerial view of the temple area shows the structures in the temple complex, the compound wall, the car

street around the temple, the temple street to the east leading up to the main entrance gopuram, and the

buildings around the temple in their present condition. Today the main temple has no vimana. This might

have been removed at some point because it was falling.


The ambience of historic Belur has the typical

elements of a Hoysala town with painted mud

houses and red tiled roofs.

Microcosm of Hoysala Heritage: BelurAmbience, Streets, and Roofscapes


The streets are more orthogonal than in many of the

other towns. The backyards are green and the

coconut trees loom tall over the rooflines. The

houses are generally smaller than in many of the

other Hoysala towns.


Microcosm of Hoysala Heritage: BelurArchitectural and Urban Elements


Microcosm of Hoysala Heritage: BelurHousing Typology


• Disregard of heritage structures

The foregoing pages have noted some of the numerous

heritage structures and features than make up the cultural

landscape of the Hoysala region and Belur. Other than the

key monuments (the main temples at Belur and

Halebeedu) that are under protection, many of the other

heritage structures and elements are neglected, not yet

fully excavated, or are being rapidly demolished in private

hands.

• Incompatible new development

Much of the new development is inappropriate and

incompatible with the heritage character of Belur. Hastily,

and roughly built concrete slab structures now replace 100-

300 yrs old vernacular commercial buildings. Inappropriate

heights, siting, and use of materials also make other

structures incompatible with Belur’s heritage character.

Challenges to Tourism Development: Belur


• Lacking infrastructure

o Open drains line many streets while.

The drains are often clogged with solid

wastes and carry sewage, waste water

and storm water all together.

o Power supply connections are there but

the supply is interrupted during the day

and hence needs to be improved.

o Garbage collection points are located at

infrequent intervals. These points are

often overflowing with garbage.

Collected garbage is often dumped on

the roadside along the (moat around the

fort wall remains)

o Many of the towns in the Hoysala region

including Halebeedu today face a

scarcity of water.


Challenges to tourism development

• Although KSTDC buses run between Bangalore, Mysore, Hassan,

and Belur, the Hoysala heritage sites remain poorly connected to the

big metropolitan centers. Hence moving people to and from the sites

as well as between them is a deterrent to making the site a major

destination. At present there are no trains or flights to Belur or

Halebeedu.

• Tourists do not stay in Belur-Halebeedu due to inadequate or

inappropriate boarding and lodging facilities

• Existing tourist facilities lack local character in siting, design, food,

and ambience.

• Lack of heritage information: guides are available on payment

however maps, brochures, museum and interpretation centers,

heritage walks, and other similar communication is missing for

tourists

• Poorly planned tourism facilities: public toilets, resting places,

eateries, shopping, and travel facilities for tourists are inadequate.

Pressure of development

Government tourism hotel Belur Belur Bus Stand


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurPlanning and Stakeholder Partnerships for Growth

Present view of temple entrance, Chennakeshava Temple, Belur

At the moment the temple is a protected monument but immediately outside are evident the pressures of

development. Despite a moratorium on both construction and demolition, building activities have been

carrying in contravention to the heritage character of the area. Buses, tempos, autostands, food vendors,

souvenir sellers, throngs of visitors all crowd the entrance area in a haphazard way. The development of key

areas such as this one needs to be carefully planned to include both the heritage and development agendas

and the interests of the multiple stakeholders.


A visualization of what the entrance to the Chennakeshava Temple, Belur, might look like in the future if

there was no intervention to guide its growth.

Allowing growth without planning and stakeholder partnerships will make protecting the monuments a

losing effort and will result in considerable loss of heritage resources.

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurGrowth without Planning and Stakeholder Partnerships


A visualization of what the area around the Chennakeshava temple, Belur might look like in the future if growth

were permitted without planned intervention and architectural guidance.


Present view of Car Street, north of Chennakeshava Temple, Belur


Visualization of what Car Street north of Chennakeshava Temple, Belur might look like in the future if growth were

permitted without planned intervention and architectural guidance. Haphazard development and loss of heritage

resources will be the consequence without stakeholder partnerships.


Present views of Temple Street leading up to the main entrance gopuram of

the Chennakeshava tenple, Belur. The street has recently been widened.

The street widening resulted in the loss of the front portion or jagli of some of

the old houses.


A visualization of well planned development along the temple street bazaar leading up to the main entrance

gopuram of the Chennakeshava Temple, Belur.

Planned interventions with stakeholder partnerships and architectural guidance can result in carefully

considered development that is appropriate and compatible with the heritage character of the area.

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurPlanned Growth


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurProposed Heritage Itineraries Around Belur

One of the central ideas of The Indian

Heritage Passport program is to develop

itineraries that would include heritage sites

currently inaccessible to tourists. Belur

and Halebeedu can be made attractive

destinations for tourists to stay for a few

days rather than staying at Hassan or

visiting them in a single day from

Bangalore.


With Belur or Halebeedu as the base, organized day trips to nearby Hoysala heritage sites

becomes possible. Identified on the map are several such itineraries starting from either Belur or

Halebeedu. Each of the places identified have some significant remains of Hoysala heritage.


Current tourist activities:

• Worship at main temple shrines

• Walking around main temple complex and admiring the art and architecture

• Through local guides, learning a little bit about Hoysala history, history of the temple, and the

iconography of the temple sculpture

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurHeritage Related Activities: Potentials of Belur

At the moment, the only tourist activities are to

worship, look around the temple, admire its art and

architecture, and then leave. With a view to heritage

as a resource for local development, and for the

development of Tourism in Belur and the Hoysala

region, it is essential that a variety of tourist activities

are developed with a focus on heritage. Tourism

focused on offering new experiences, education on

cultural heritage, or opportunities to contribute to the

conservation of cultural and environmental heritage

are potentials to be explored.

Tourists at Chennakesava Temple, Belur


Potential for additional tourist activities in Belur:

• Tours of all other heritage in Belur.

• Through digital multimedia presentations learn about Hoysala history

and accomplishments as well as the region’s folk culture

• Participate in local festivals and fairs such as the rathothsava and the

deepothsava. This may include reviving traditional festivals such as

theppothsava (boat festival at the lake).

• Help to uncover history by participating in archaeological digs

• Experience organic and vegetarian foods

• Experience local cuisine

• Experience Classical Indian dances in temple settings

• Experience Classical Indian music in temple settings

• Learn at Heritage centers. The education or short training may be in

temple architecture, stone and wood sculpture, classical music and

dance forms, Kannada, Sanskrit, poetry, or Yoga and meditation

• Shop at and experience local markets or santhe

• Shop for high quality souvenirs at souvenir shops

• Experience local ways of living through home-stays and heritage

walks

• Experience “sense of place” on traditional streets and houses

• Relax through yoga and meditation by the lakes

• Picnic by the lakes


The focus of heritage tourism in Belur would be within the

area of the historic fort wall. The temple street leading

from KempeGowda Circle to the main entrance of the

Chennakeshava temple, Kerebeedi leading up to the

Vishnusamudhra lake, Vishnusamudhra and

Kalashanakere lakes, and the moat around the fort wall

remains would also be included.

The Car streets around the Chennakeshava Temple

precincts as well as the Vaikunthabeedi chariot routes

could be important heritage streets.

A Tourist Information and Interpretation Center could be

made by the adaptive re-use of a heritage structure. A

building such as a large and elaborate heritage home

near the main entrance to the Chennakeshava temple

that is presently a girls college could be refurbished to

serve as an Interpretation Center.

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurFocus of Heritage Tourism, Belur

A possible Heritage interpretation

center and museum


There are many homes in Belur that are 100-200

years old and have architectural features that give

Belur and the Hoysala region a unique identity.

Some owners believe their houses to be as old as

400 years. As such these homes form an important

aspect of the cultural heritage of the region. Many

of these homes are ancestral properties that have

been continuously inhabited.

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurInvestment Opportunities in Heritage Accommodations, Belur


Offering Home Stay

accommodation to tourists

might be one way of

protecting a significant

heritage while enabling the

owners to earn an income

from maintaining it.

Carefully considered and

compatible improvements

and additions would also be

possible to the homes.


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurInvestment Opportunities in ‘Dispersed’ Hotels / Home Stays

Mapping some of the heritage homes in Belur on a map of the historic fort area, we see that the

homes are dispersed though located within the same part of town. In looking at home stays, an

innovative investment option would be to consider a “dispersed hotel” model.


Front of House: reception, information counter, cashier, boutique etc…

Hotel Facilities: restaurant, café, library, fitness center, massage, spa, swimming pool etc…

Back of House: House keeping

As shown in the following figures, the Belur hospitality project

should be considered as one single “dispersed hotel”.

The typical hotel layout will usually have

one main building where will be found the

“Front of House”, “Hotel Facilities”, “Back

of House” and “Rooms”.

The proposed hotel layout will be “dispersed”

where all of “Front of House”, “Hotel facilities” and

“Back of House” would be centralized in one single

building and the “Rooms” would be distributed

throughout the town.


The urban fabric of within the historic fort area

offers a potential for inserting new

developments in between existing built up

properties. Vacant sites or underutilized

properties in and around Belur fort could be

used for small hotels either by in filling with new

construction or adaptive re-use of existing

structures.

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurVacant Sites for Hotels in and Around Belur

Small boutique hotels could be inserted in vacant sitesbetween buildings in residential areas within the

historic fort area.

Site for a hotel through public-private partnership owned by

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.This property is currently owned by Oberoi Hotels for a

proposed hotel.


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurVacant or Under-Utilized Properties for Redevelopment in and AroundBelure Fort


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurOpportunities for Public-Private Partnerships for Heritage Tourism in Belur

Developing tourism in the Hoysala region offers opportunities for public-private partnerships in a variety of

areas in addition to hotels and accommodation for tourists.

• The design and manufacturing of heritage craft products

• Setting up and running of gift and souvenir shops

• Setting up and running of heritage centers such as centers for temple architecture, sculpture, classical

music and dance, and Kannada and Sanskrit

• Yoga, Ayurveda, and meditation centers

• Vegetarian, organic, and health food centers

• Restaurants

• Boating and bicycling rentals and services

• Shops that cater to tourists

• Rainwater harvesting and water recycling

• Dry latrines, composting, and alternative garbage and sewage disposal systems

• Cleaning and renewing existing lakes and lake beds and possibly, historic water channels.


Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurGovernment Responsibilities, Belur

In the conservation and development of the Hoysala region and Belur in particular, some activities

are primarily a government responsibility, some others could be a fruitful partnership between public

and private or entirely private.

• Safeguard all the cultural heritage of Belur and Hoysala region including tangible heritage

such as monuments, lakes, vernacular architecture, and intangible heritage such as the

festivals, music, dance, and building crafts.

• Formulate and implement a comprehensive Site Management Plan for Belur and for the

Hoysala region to provide a framework for action both for conservation of heritage and local

development.

• Formulate a heritage and tourism sensitive master planning for both the historic heritage area

as well as the larger township of Belur.

• Guide and regulate new developments to be appropriate and compatible to both the classical

and the folk heritage character of the region.

• Plan and improve roads, traffic circulation, and parking facilities within the framework of the

Comprehensive Site Management Plan.

• Improve water supply and sanitation by exploring alternative technologies within the

framework of the Site-Management Plan.


• Provide adequate power supply by exploring alternative technologies and renewable energy

sources

• Identify and re-design key public spaces within the framework of the comprehensive Site

Management Plan. Pedestrianizing some core heritage streets, conserving and developing

the lakeside would be examples of this.

• Provide tourist toilet facilities and information centers located and designed within the

comprehensive Site Management Plan.

• Coordinate all government development efforts to be sensitive to heritage

• Improve and innovate on existing government tourism products

• Set up a cultural heritage interpretation center with multimedia presentations

• Prepare and disseminate heritage information on history, architecture, and culture to local

people and tourists


• Basic with red-oxide cement floors, stone foundation, brick walls, no columns, and tiled roof ~ Rs.

550/sq.ft.

• Framed with tiled floors ~ Rs. 650/sq. ft. Kitchen and bathroom fittings additional

• A bathroom (with toilet and cistern, sink, shower, and tiled walls) ~ Rs.1,15,000.

• Sump, pump, and tank for water ~ Rs. 28,000.

• Redoing a room in an old house (10’x 10’) – flooring, electrification, painting, mosquito screens ~

Rs. 40,000

Looking to the Future: Hoysala Heritage in BelurPresent Costs of Construction in Belur


A partnership of UNESCO, Government of Karnataka, private investors, NGOs, and the community

The Indian Heritage Passport Program:On the Hoysala Trail in Karnataka


• All text, photographs, drawings, and layout by Jyoti Hosagrahar unless otherwise indicated. Jyoti Hosagrahar’s

drawing and research team included, Amit Chanchal, Dharanya Kishore, Anuradha Naulakha and Srikant K.S.

• Page #9: Map of Karnataka curtsey, Karnataka State Tourism Department

• age #10: Information from Karnataka State Tourism Department

• Page #11: Based on UNESCO Mission 1 report to Government of Karnataka

• Page #13&14: Map of Hoysala Kingdom from public domain based on J. Duncan M. Derrett, Hoysalas: A medieval

Indian royal family, Chennai: Oxford University Press, 1957; Information from B. L. Rice, Gazetteer of Mysore;

Government of India Press, 1897; Ramachandra Rao, Belur, Bangalore: IBH Prakashana, 1983; Settar S., Hoysala

Temples, Bangalore, Kala Yatra, 1991; Foekema Gerard, Hoysala Architecture:Medieval Temples of Southern

Karnataka built during Hoysala rule, New Delhi,

Books and Books, 1994.

• Page #25: Historic map of Dorasamudhra (Halebeedu) from S. Settar, Hoysala Temples, Bangalore:Kala Yatra

Press, 1992; Information from Dr. Srivatsa Vati archival study and field observations. Unpublished manuscript

by Dr. Srivatsa Vati.

• Page #35: Plan of house from “Doddamane,” a study of a house in Udaiwara by students of the Department of

Architecture, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan.

• Page #50, 51: Photo by Dr. Srivatsa Vati.

• Page #53: Base map is Town Map of Belur, Hassan District from the Department of Town Planning, Hassan.

• Page #58: Sketches by Yushi Kawaguchi

• Page #59: Sketches by Yushi Kawaguchi, photographs by Yushi Kawaguchi and Jyoti Hosagrahar

• Page #70: District Map of Hassan in Mysore, Survey, Settlements and Land Records in Mysore, 1972.

• Page #73: Photo (center) by Dr. Srivatsa Vati.

• Page #76: Based on survey of house by UNESCO Team assisted by Suman Dekane and Jagadish Totad.

• Page #77 & 78: Concept and photos by Pascal Trahan; Map by UNESCO Team

• Page #80: Based on ASI map of Belur fort area. Information on properties from field survey by UNESCO Team,

and Chennakeshava Temple map of properties.

• Page #84: Information from Mr. Lokesh, building contractor and engineer in Belur

Sources and Credits

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)B5/29 Safdarjung Enclave

New Delhi 110 029India

Phone: +91-11-2671 3000email: [email protected]

website: www.unesco.org/newdelhi

IN/2007/CL/13

mailto:[email protected]



http://www.unesco.org/newdelhi




indian heritage passport program on the hoysala trail in karnataka

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