Hassan Karnataka
 Famous as an archaeological site, Hassan is a district in Karnataka. The district capital is Hassan. The land is dotted with wonderful architectural marvels. It was once the capital of the Hoysala Empire which during its hey days ruled most parts of South India. The Hoysala rulers made amazing contribution to the architectural heritage of Hassan. Several beautiful temples were constructed by them during the 11th to 13th centuries. It is also the place where the Master Control Facility of the Indian Space Research Organization is located. The primary language spoken here is Kannada. Out of forty five monuments of Hassan, twenty four are under the supervision of Karnataka state archaeological department while the remaining twenty one are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Attractions:
Chennakesava Temple: This temple is located in Belur, thirty four km from Hassan. It was built by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in the 12th century. It is famous for its exquisite carvings and beautiful pillars.
Hoysaleswara Temple: The walls of this temple are a major attraction for the tourists. They are festooned with detailed friezes and sculptures depicting scenes from the great Hindu Epics.
Jain Pilgrimage Centre: Located 52 km from Hassan in Shravanabelagola, the centre is a highly revered pilgrimage of Jains. It is sandwiched between two hills namely Indragiri and Chandragiri. The centre has a huge statue of lord Gomateshwara, a jain saint. It is said to be one of the tallest monolithic statues in the world.
Festival:
The most famous festival of Hassan is Mahamastakabhisheka which is dedicated to lord Gomateshwara. It is held after every 12 years. The celebration is marked by anointment of the statue with coconut oil, yoghurt, ghee, bananas, dates, jaggery, poppy seeds and milk.
Climate:
Although the climate of Hassan is pleasant throughout the year but the best time to visit the district is from October to March.
How To Reach:
Air: The nearest airport is Bangalore.
Rail: Regular trains connect Hassan with Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore.
Road: Hassan is easily accessible from Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore by road.
Shopping:
The markets of Hassan are full of coconut, cardamom, coffee and rice. These are the main shopping items available here.
Accommodation:
Hassan does not boasts of five star hotels but it surely provides decent accommodation options. Some of the best hotels in Hassan are Hotel Hassan Ashok, Southern Star Hotel, Gee Dee Comforts, Hotel Suvarna Regency and Hotel Sri Krish. |
