About Hassan
Hassan (pronounced: Haasana) is a city in southern part of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Hassan district. The city is situated midway between Bangalore and Mangalore on National Highway 75 (India).
Hassan dates from beginnings of the Hoysala Empire in the 11th century. Hoysala Empire ruled this city for a long time and their influence can be seen in the art and inscriptions on the different monuments such as in Halebidu, Belur and Shravanabelagola. After these medieval ages, Hassan became famous again because of Dinesh Pattanashettaru
Nageshwara and Channakeshava, the twin temples built at edge of the Mosale village depicts the Hoysala style of architecture. These structures are famous for it’s intricately designed architecture and scriptures.
Shettyhalli submerged church as it is called was built on the banks of the River Hemavathi in the 18th century. The church is submerged in water for most parts of the year and is a site to watch.
Built in 983 AD, Bhagwan Bahubali Statue or Gommateshwara is a 17 metre tall free standing monoliths statue of the Jain deity, Bahubali. It is located on Vindhyagiri Hills. The location is also a perfect place to get a panoramic view of the surroundings. The statue was awarded the title of one of the seven wonders of India in 2005.
Gorur dam forms the Hemavathi reservoir built in the 1900s across the Hemavathi river. The dam is named after a famous Kanada literature personality called Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar.
Kadareswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by Veer Ballala II, a Hoysala King and Ketaladevi, his Queen around 1220 A. D. The stunning structure has traditional Hoysala style architecture in soapstone and has enchantingly intricate carvings, relief work and sculptures depicting the legends of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is a stunning 13th-century shrine temple built by Bommanna Dandanayaka who served as a commander in the Hoysala Dynasty. The bas-relief and sculpture work on the temple increase its architectural beauty and are a treat to the tourists. The temple is a built with soapstone and is another good example of the rich culture of the dynasty.
Shri Ranganatha temple is built on the Mavinakerre hill along the way from Hassan. It consists of a Hanuman statue and as a contemporary architecture. The drive is pleasing surrounded by beautiful scenery.
Ishvara Temple, Arasikere is an 11th century Lord Shiva Temple built by the Hoysala Kings. It is famous for its rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture. The single shrine temple, its complex craftsmanship and the intricacies of the carvings are not found in other Hoysala structures, thus making it a famous attraction in the region.
Ramanathpur Temple, a pilgrim spot is situated 50km from Hassan on the banks of the river Cauvery. There are many other temples in the vicinity within walking distance of each other. Owing to this, the place is called as Dakshina Kailasa meaning the ‘Kashi of the South’.
Maharaja Park is a peaceful park in the town equipped with a children’s play area, spacious walkways lined by tall trees and lush green lawns. It is a popular picnic spot in the town and is often visited by locals and tourists as well.
Koravangala Temple, also called the Bucesvara Temple, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by Buchiraja to celebrate the coronation of Veer Ballala II of the Hoysala Dynasty in the 12th century. This temple also was built according to the Hoysala architecture and adorns stunning carvings on the soapstone structure.
Kabbaligere Hill is a scenic location near Kabbaligere Village. Many prefer going on long drives or for photography, nature walks or trekking on the hill. It a perfect tranquil escape for the locals.
Bisle Ghat or Bisle Forest Reserve is a famous sanctuary in the Western Ghats housing a wide variety of flora and fauna. Bisle Betta is a viewpoint to get a panoramic view of the surrounding mountain ranges. Bisle Ghat at the other end forest reserve acts as a natural corridor that links the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Lakshmi Devi Temple is an ancient 12th century temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. It was built by the Hoysala Dynasty and has the traditional Hoysala architecture in soapstone. The grand temple adorns beautiful sculpture, inscriptions and bas-relief work but has a unique feature, the Chatuskuta, wherein one can find four shrines and a tower.
Hasanamba Temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti whose idol is actually an anthill. The temple opens for devotees only for two weeks during Diwali. The devotees often offer raw rice and light a lamp when the temple is closed. Many have claimed that the rice never gets rotten and the lamp always burns until it is opened in the succeeding year.
Hemvathy Reservoir is the formed by Hemvathy Dam constructed on River Hemvathy. With a catchment area of 2,800 square kilometres, the reservoir is an important source of drinking water and water for irrigation purposes for the region. The beautiful surroundings also make the location a preferred picnic spot.
Bhoga Narsimha Temple is a simple yet impressive temple located on the foothills of Devarayanadurga which is a famous trekking destination in the town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha. Devotees offer food items to the deity and donate food to other devotees.
Jain Matt is an important Jain pilgrimage located on a hill and needs climbing about 700 steps. The monastery has 19th century stone and metal idols. The Monastery head, Charukeerti Bhattarakha Swamy meets devotees almost every day. Followers throng in large numbers to seek blessings from the monastery head every day.