Major city · India
Belurಬೇಲೂರು
Give Belur half a day for the Chennakesava temple, sleep in Hassan or Halebidu, and pair it with Halebidu in one loop.
Belur is a small temple town in Hassan district, Karnataka, on the Bhadra river. Its Chennakesava temple, carved from soapstone from 1116 CE and part of the Hoysala Sacred Ensembles UNESCO listing since 2023, is the reason to come. The town itself has almost nothing else: most travellers see the temple in 2–3 hours, then move to Halebidu (16 km) or sleep in Hassan (37 km).
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot, 35 °C (95 °F)+), Jun–Sep monsoonavoid Mar–May (hot, 95 °F (35 °C)+), Jun–Sep monsoon
- Airports
- IXE · BLR
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Belur112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Belur, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyBelur is a small, calm temple town and violent crime against visitors is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services · 108 ambulance · 1363 Tourist helpline (national, 24 h) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXE Mangalore International (About 154 km (96 mi) by road; the ghat route via Mudigere is slow and winding.).IXE Mangalore International (About 96 mi (154 km) by road; the ghat route via Mudigere is slow and winding.).
- Getting aroundLocal buses are thin and the temple pair is awkward without a vehicle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFilter coffee₹15–40 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideAuto-rickshaw, Belur bus stand to templecheck₹40–80 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,200 (≈ US$6–14)
- Budget bedBasic lodge double (non-AC), a night, per room₹250 (≈ US$3)
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge double (non-AC), a night, per room₹600 (≈ US$7)
- High-end bedBasic lodge double (non-AC), a night, per room₹900 (≈ US$11)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹8,000 (≈ US$95)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXE Mangalore International (About 154 km (96 mi) by road; the ghat route via Mudigere is slow and winding.) · BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 224 km (139 mi); the usual arrival for a Hassan-district loop.)IXE Mangalore International (About 96 mi (154 km) by road; the ghat route via Mudigere is slow and winding.) · BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 139 mi (224 km); the usual arrival for a Hassan-district loop.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jul (18 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Belur: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
18 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
16 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses are thin and the temple pair is awkward without a vehicle. Most visitors take a KSTDC or private Belur–Halebidu–Shravanabelagola tour from Bengaluru or Mysuru, or hire a car with driver. Inside Belur everything is walkable: the bus stand to the temple gate is about 5 minutes.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Halebidu
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Bus or car on the Belur–Halebidu road
Hoysalesvara temple, the second half of the Hoysala pair; same day-fee parking ticket.
Hassan
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Frequent bus, 37 km (23 mi)Frequent bus, 23 mi (37 km)
Railhead, hotels and the widest food choice in the district.
Shravanabelagola
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or car via Channarayapatna
87 km (54 mi); the giant Bahubali statue and 600+ rock-cut steps.54 mi (87 km); the giant Bahubali statue and 600+ rock-cut steps.
Chikmagalur
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Bus or car, 27 km (17 mi)Bus or car, 17 mi (27 km)
Coffee country and a cooler night at 1,000 m.
Door to door: 4.5–6 h
Bus on NH48 via Hassan, or train from Hassan
224 km (139 mi); a travel day, not a day trip.139 mi (224 km); a travel day, not a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Belur town, Temple Road
Basic lodges and the KSTDC Mayura Velapuri, 5 min walk from the temple gate. Book ahead in peak season.
Hassan
37 km (23 mi); the widest choice of hotels and the nearest useful railway station.23 mi (37 km); the widest choice of hotels and the nearest useful railway station.
Halebidu
16 km (9.9 mi); a second KSTDC Mayura and a quieter base for the same temple pair.9.9 mi (16 km); a second KSTDC Mayura and a quieter base for the same temple pair.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| KSTDC Mayura Velapuri double1 × 1 night × ₹900 | ₹900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Temple parking, day fee1 × ₹50 · check | ₹50 |
| Guide at the temple gate1 × ₹200 · check | ₹200 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹980 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,370 per person per day, bed included | ₹10,730≈ US$130 |
check
2026 estimate in rupees; transport to Belur excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Filter coffee | ₹15–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Ragi mudde with saaru | ₹60–120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Puliyogare (tamarind rice) | ₹40–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali meal in a local hotel | ₹120–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Auto-rickshaw, Belur bus stand to templecheck | ₹40–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,200 (≈ US$6–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Temple inner sanctum closes 10:00–11:00, 13:00–15:00 and 17:00–17:30; plan the darshan around those gaps.Temple inner sanctum closes 10:00 AM–11:00 AM, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM and 5:00 PM–5:30 PM; plan the darshan around those gaps.
- Guides at the gate are not licensed to a fixed standard: agree the fee (₹125–250 (≈ US$2–3)) before you start.
- Vendors follow you out of the temple with books and trinkets; a firm no works.
- The Mangalore–Mudigere ghat road is winding with waterfalls and tea estates: allow extra time and drive alert.
- Parking in front of the temple carries a day fee, valid at both Belur and Halebidu.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (national, 24 h)
- 1363
Pocket card
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Belurಬೇಲೂರು
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ಈ ವಿಳಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline (24 h)1363
Embassy
No embassies in Belur; consulates-general are in Bengaluru (US, UK, Canada, Australia) and Chennai. Check your own country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Belur → Halebidu, bus: ₹20–40 (≈ under US$1), about 30–40 min (check)
- Belur → Hassan, bus: ₹40–70 (≈ under US$1), about 1 h (check)
- Bengaluru → Belur, KSTDC day tour: about ₹1,000–1,500 (≈ US$12–18) with entry fees (check)
Say or show
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ — Hello / Namaste (namaskāra)
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದ — Thank you (dhanyavāda)
- ಎಷ್ಟು? — How much is it? (eṣṭu?)
- ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? — Where is the temple? (dēvasthāna ellide?)
- ಬೇಡ — No, thank you (bēḍa)
- ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ — Please stop here (illi nillisi)
Temple hours 07:30–17:30 daily; inner sanctum closed 10:00–11:00, 13:00–15:00, 17:00–17:30. Verify before a long drive.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Belur. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot, 35 °C+), Jun–Sep monsoon · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for IXE and BLR: last bus and train departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around the temple gate with rescue anchors: bus stand, Mayura Velapuri, Temple Road lodges.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chennakesava, Kappe Chennigaraya, Veera Narayana, gravity pillar) and eat pages with last orders.
- Hoysala loop fixture (Belur–Halebidu–Shravanabelagola) so gates A–D can go green.