A dancer's fingers become flowers. The 650 elephants charging on the frieze around the walls outside are all different from each other. The 38 Bracket figures on the walls are beautiful, pensive, playful and amorous women, lifting the temple to unprecedented heights of excellence. At the lovely feet of a sensuous spy, crawls a scorpion. She was gradually fed venom with milk till her body was saturated with it, then sent forth to put an end to the enemies of the Hoysalas with the kiss of death.
Gods perform miracles, demons do their bit and the life of the era is reflected in the carvings.
The delicacy and attention to the tiniest details here are incredible. Each feature, bangle, strand of hair is carved with care. On the smooth circular platform in front of the shrine, the beautiful, talented Shantala Devi, queen of king Vishnuvardhana, danced in homage to Lord Chennakesava or Lord Krishna, beloved flute-playing deity of the Hindus. There is a beautiful story about the master sculptor and architect Jakkanachari, who left his wife and son to travel in his quest for a living and fame. Eventually, he approached the Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana, a patron of the arts, and was employed to create the marvels of Belur.