Hassan

Hassan is a city and district headquarters of Hassan district in Karnataka. The town is situated 934 mts above sea level with fine weather similar to Bangalore. The town is home to the Master Control Facility of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It was founded in the 11th century, by Channa Krishnappa Naik, a Palegar (chieften). The place is called Hassan after the Goddess "Haasanamba", the goddess and presiding deity of the town. It can be called the temple-architectural capital of Karnataka. Distance from Hassan to Hornadu, Karnataka is 134.0 km and takes around 3 h 15 min via Belur Rd, NH234 and SH 106. Distance from Hassan to Javagal, Karnataka is 41.8 km and travelling will take around 51 min via SH 21 and NH73.



Hassan, the main city in the Hassan district,which has an area of 6814 km2 dates back to the 11th century, during the Hoysala dynasty, which lasted from the eleventh to the fourteenth century. Their capital was at Dwarasamundra (Dwaravati-pura), the ruins of which are still to be seen scattered round the town of Halebidu.

The earlier kings were of the Jain faith, but the finest temples were dedicated to Shiva by the later monarchs in the dynasty. While the Hoysalas were at the zenith of their power, much of southern India was under their influence.

Belur is one of the famous tourist place near Hassan. Belur was the early capital of the Hoysala Empire. With Halebidu which is only 16 km away, this is one of the major tourist destinations in Karnataka, India. The main attraction in Belur is the Chennakesava temple complex which contains the Chennakesava Temple (dedicated to Chennakeshava, meaning handsome Vishnu) as the centre piece, surrounded by the Kappe Chennigraya temple built by Shantaladevi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana.

Shravanabelagola is a city located in the Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bangalore. It is one of the most important Jain pilgrim centers. It reached a peak in architectural and sculptural activity under the patronage of Gangas of Talakad.The 57 feet monolithic statue of the Bhagavan Gomateshwara Bahubali is located on the Vindyagiri. It is considered to be the world's largest monolithic stone statue and was erected by Chavundaraya, a general of King Gangaraya. The base of the statue has an inscription in Prakrit, dating from 981 AD. Every twelve years, thousands of devotees congregate here to perform the Mahamastakabhisheka, a spectacular ceremony in which the statue is covered with milk, curds, ghee, saffron and gold coins. The next Mahamastakabhisheka will be held in 2018.

Hassan has many famous tourist attractions. The Famous Chennakesava Temple is 40 km from Hassan, Halebidu Hoysalaeswara Temple is 31 km from hassan. It is also home to Lord Gomateshwara at Shravanabelagola.

Gorur Dam
The Hemavathi river is impounded behind the Gorur Dam, which is situated about 12km from Hassan to Arakalagud. Hemavathi Reservoir is also a pilgrim spot, owing to the notable temples located near the site. The temple of Yoganarasimha, located nearby is the center of devotion. This town is a devotee of Goruru Ramaswamy Iyengar, who has been an admired personality to the Kannada Literary World. At the entrance of Gorur Dam, the Paravasudeva Temple is also situated. In both the temples daily rituals of Puja is performed and the annual car festivals take place, which a star attraction for the tourists.



Hassanamba Temple, Hassan

The Hassanamba Temple is around 800 years old and is dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Amba. The Hassanamba Temple is situated on the Bangalore-Mangalore Road. The town Hasan was named after the presiding deity at the Hasanamba Temple. She is called Hasanamba as she is perceived to be ever smiling, bestowing all riches on her devotees. Built in the 12th century, the temple is open to the public for a week, once a year during the lunar month of Ashwayuja, during Diwali in October.

Archeological experts consider the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan to be the epitome of temple architecture in Karnataka. The city of Hassan dates back to the 11th century and the temples around Hassan signify the various dynasties that have ruled ever since the 11th century. It was originally built by the Hoysala dynasty in their tradition, reflecting their faith in Jainism. The temples in the Hassan district are some of the finest examples of the Hoysala tradition of temple architecture.

How to Reach Hassan

By Road: Hassan is the hub of Broad gauge railways to Birur, Bangalore and Mysore. The line to Mangalore is fully converted to broad gauge under Project Unigauge in 2006. Goods traffic was started in May 2006 and passenger trains were commissioned on December 8, 2007. At present two express trains plying between Bangalore and Mangalore connect Hassan with Bangalore and Mangalore. Hassan-Shravanabelagola new broad gauge line was commissioned in February 2006.

Hassan also has a full-fledged bus terminus operated by KSRTC, besides this it is also well connected by private bus services to all the major cities across south and west India. The nearest airports are Mysore (115 km), Bangalore (117 Miles/187 km) followed by the one in Mangalore. The national highway 48 which connects port city of Mangalore to capital city Bangalore passes through Hassan.

Bangalore to Hassan KSRTC Bus Timings

A variety of Bus Services are available from Bangalore to Hassan which include Club Airavat Class, Mercedes Benz, Corona Ambari, Corona Ambari Sleeper, Raj Hansa Executive, Sheetal, Kaveri Medium Floor, Vaibhav Volvo Low Floor, Tumkur City Bus and Karnataka Saarige. Rajahamsa Airavat bus timings from Bangalore to Hassan are detailed.

KSRTC Bus Timings from Bangalore to Hassan: 21:35, 21:59, 21:00, 11:05, 21:15, 14:05, 22:30, 23:00, 23:15, 21:15, 21:35, 21:06, 22:00, 05:00, 07:45, 06:30 hrs etc.

KSRTC Bus Timings from Hassan to Bangalore: 11:00, 20:30, 14:00, 22:01, 21:05, 22:29, 22:50, 22:45, 19:30, 07:00, 06:01, 06:31, 13:30, 10:30, 11:30 hrs etc.

State Protected Monuments in Hassan

State Protected Monuments officially reported by Archeological Survey of India in Hassan, Karnataka is listed below

State Protected Monuments in Hassan
  • Kirtinarayana temple
  • Govindesvara and Nagesvara temples
  • Prasanna Channakesvara temple
  • Vishnu temple
  • Parsvanatha Basti
  • Channakeshavasvami
  • Yoganarasimha temple, Markali
  • Yoganarasimha temple, Mudigere
  • Trikuntesvara temple
  • Virabhadra temple
  • Chattesvara temple
  • Keshava temple
  • Somesvara temple
  • Narasimha temple
  • Channakeshava temple
  • Mahalingesvara temple
  • Narasimha temple
  • Santhinatha Basti
  • Lakshminarayana temple
  • Singesvara temple
  • Ramesvara temple
  • Lakshmanesvara temple

Temples in Hassan

Hassanamba Temple is 800 years old and houses the main deity of Hassan. The temple is dedicated to Amba also known as Goddess Shakti. Amaragiri Malekal Tirupati Temple - The Lakshmi Venkatramana Swamy temple is also known as Amaragiri Malekal Tirupathi temple. It lies in the town of Arsikere in the district of Hassan, in Karanataka State. Hasanamba Temple - The name Hasanamba has been given to the Goddess at the Hasanamba Temple and the town too is named after the presiding deity. Ishvara Temple is located in the Hassan district of Karnataka State. It was built during the Hoysala Empire in 1220 CE. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple was built in the year 1246. It lies in the town of Nuggehali in the Hassan district. Lakshmi Devi Temple is situated at Doddagaddavalli, which is a village in the district of Hassan. Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy Temple - One of the most beautiful places in the state of Karnataka is the region that surrounds the Mavinakere Sri Lakshmi Venkataramanaswamy temple in the Hassan district.

Distance from Hassan, Karnataka to Kukke Shree Subrahmanya Temple is 100.5 km and takes around 2 h 31 min via Bandadka-Bengaluru Road. Distance from Hassan to Mookana Mane Abbi Falls, Jedigadde is 75.0 km and takes around 1 h 50 min via NH75. Distance from Hassan to Hornadu, Karnataka is 140.3 km and takes around 3 h 8 min via NH73 and SH 66. Distance from Banavasi to Hassan, Karnataka is 274.8 km and takes around 5 h 22 min via NH206. Distance from Hassan to Mudigere, Karnataka is 75.1 km and travelling takes around 1 h 36 min via Belur Road and NH73.