Veera Narayana Temple

Veera Narayana Temple is a 13th-century Hoysala temple located in Belavadi village, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Veera Narayana, it is notable as a large trikuta (three-shrined) temple built of soapstone in Hoysala architecture. Commissioned by Hoysala King Veera Ballala II around 1200 CE, it is known for its spacious courtyard, ornate pillars, and detailed sculptures.

Visitors can expect a large, well-preserved Hoysala temple complex set in a quiet village environment. The temple is trikuta facing east with three sanctums dedicated to Veera Narayana, Venugopala and Yoganarasimha. The exterior and interior feature soapstone carvings, lathe-turned pillars, ornate ceilings and a spacious pillared mantapa. The complex is enclosed within a walled courtyard and remains an active place of worship with open halls visitors can explore.

Built around 1200 CE during the reign of Hoysala King Veera Ballala II, the temple is a prominent example of Hoysala architecture. Constructed in soapstone, it represents the mature Hoysala style with trikuta plan, detailed friezes, and ornate mantapas. It is protected as a monument of national importance and illustrates the architectural development between Belur and Halebidu.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu worshipped as Veera Narayana, with additional shrines for Venugopala and Yoganarasimha. It remains an active Hindu place of worship and is significant for its religious iconography, Hoysala sculptural traditions, and as part of the Belur-Halebidu-Belavadi heritage circuit in Karnataka.