Type : Cultural
Month : March/April
Location : Belur-Halebid, Karnataka

Hoysala Mahotsava is a traditional festival of dance and music that is held in the magnificent setting of the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka. These temples have a glorious past as they were erected to honor the military victory of Hoysala King in the year AD 1117. These temples are beautifully carved and have incredible stone carvings and sculptures illustrating gods and scenes in the battle field. This festival is indeed a magnificent event that showcases grand Hoysala temples amidst their architectural extravaganza. This festival also exhibits warm human faith along with blissful exuberance.

Hoysala festival is held in the month of March or in early April. This is the time for the people to celebrate and venerate in joyful activities comprising of dances, music and other fine arts. The images at Belur and Halebid temples are so marvelously and gracefully sculpted that onlookers feel as if the idols are going to speak at any moment of time. People from countrywide come to Karnataka at this time of year to watch the dancers perform elegantly to the cadence of music.

The splendid Hoysala temples with their sculptural extravaganza make the perfect venue for this cultural feast. Performing artistes from classical streams from across India participate in this one-day event. The hamlets of Belur and Halebid come alive with the reverberation of melody, jingle of the dancer’s moves and glitter of lamps in the months of March and April.

The temples were built on the orders of the Hoysala king to commemorate an important military victory in AD 1117 and are adorned with incredible stone carvings and sculptures depicting gods and scenes from the battle. The incredible temple complex was added to and embellished by successive rulers.

How to get there

By Air
The nearest airport is at Mangalore 154 km and 206 Km from Bangalore.

By Rail
Hassan, railway station is 40 km, which connected with Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore.

By Rail
Mysore well connected by road
Hassan - 40 km.
Bangalore – 222 km.
Mysore – 155 km.