Hassan, India
Region: Karnataka
Geographic Coordinates: 13.005000, 76.102800
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 40.0°C (68°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 133436
Language: Hindi
Hassan is a city located in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is situated about 180 km from Bangalore, The capital city of Karnataka. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, Ancient temples and scenic beauty. The Hoysala architecture is one of the major attractions in Hassan and can be seen in many temples around the city. The Chennakesava Temple at Belur and Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebidu are two famous examples built during the 12th century by King Vishnuvardhana of Hoysala dynasty. These temples are known for their intricate carvings on stone pillars and walls.
Shravanabelagola is another must-visit attraction located about 50 km from Hassan. It is an important pilgrimage center for Jains as it houses one of Asia’s tallest monolithic statues – Gommateshwara Bahubali Statue, Standing tall at a height of 57 feet built around 981 AD. Apart from historical attractions, Hassan has beautiful natural sites to offer visitors such as Bisle Ghat which offers breathtaking views of Western Ghats mountain range covered with lush green forests. Wildlife enthusiasts can visit Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary where they can spot various species like elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Deer etc.
The cuisine in Hassan reflects its rich cultural heritage with dishes like Bisi Bele Bath (a spicy rice dish), Akki Rotti (rice flour bread), Maddur Vada (savory snack) being some popular dishes among locals as well as tourists. Overall, Hassan offers a perfect blend of history, Culture and nature making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking an enriching experience while exploring South India.
Important Landmarks
- Hasanamba Temple
- Shettihalli Church
- Gorur Dam
- Kedareswara Temple
- Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu
- Belur Chennakeshava temple
- Manjarabad Fort
- Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Nuggehalli
- Hemavathi Dam
- Bisle Ghat Viewpoint
Primary Industries
- Agriculture: The region is known for producing paddy, sugarcane, coconut, areca nut, and silk.
- Food Processing: Several food processing units in the area process fruits and vegetables into juices, jams, pickles etc.
- Textile Industry: Hassan’s thriving textile industry produces cotton yarns and fabrics.
- Handicrafts: The region is famous for its handicrafts such as wooden toys and sculptures.
- Tourism: Hassan has several tourist attractions such as the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu which attract a large number of tourists every year.
- Education: There are several educational institutions in Hassan including engineering colleges which have contributed to the growth of the city’s economy.
- Healthcare: Many hospitals in Hassan provide quality healthcare services to people from surrounding areas.
- IT Industry: In recent years there has been an increase in IT companies setting up their offices in Hassan due to its strategic location between Bangalore and Mangalore cities which offer excellent connectivity by roadways with good infrastructure facilities like airports etc., making it easier for companies to transport goods or services across different parts of India quickly without any hassle or delay.
Noteable History
- Hoysala Empire: Hassan was part of the Hoysala Empire, which ruled South India from the 10th to 14th century.
- Chennakesava Temple: The Chennakesava Temple in Belur, located near Hassan, is a famous example of Hoysala architecture.
- Halebidu: Halebidu, another nearby town, was also an important center of Hoysala culture and art.
- Tipu Sultan: Tipu Sultan fought against British colonialism in the late 18th century and was killed in battle near Hassan.
- Kempegowda: Kempegowda founded Bangalore (now Bengaluru) and played an important role in shaping its early history.
- Hasanamba Temple Festival: The Hasanamba Temple Festival is an annual event held in October-November to celebrate the goddess Hasanamba.
- Jainism: Hassan has a significant Jain population and several ancient Jain temples can be found here including Shravanabelagola which is home to one of India’s tallest statues – Gommateshwara statue or Bahubali statue – standing at over 57 feet tall.
Overall, Hassan has played an important role in South Indian history and continues to be an important cultural center today.
Museums and Things To See
- Hasanamba Temple is a well-known temple dedicated to the goddess Hasanamba and is situated in the heart of Hassan.
- Shettihalli Church is an abandoned church that partially submerges in water during monsoon season, making it a popular destination for photography enthusiasts.
- Gorur Dam offers breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere as it’s built across the Hemavati River.
- Belur and Halebidu Temples are two ancient temples located just outside of Hassan known for their intricate carvings and architecture.
- Sri Kshetra Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple, located in Horanadu village near Hassan, is a revered temple dedicated to the goddess Annapoorneshwari.
- Bhagawan Bahubali Statue is a 57-foot-tall statue of Lord Bahubali situated on top of a hill in Shravanabelagola, which takes about an hour’s drive from Hassan.
- Government Museum Hassan showcases artifacts from the Hoysala dynasty and other historical periods of Karnataka.
- Chennakesava Temple at Aralaguppe, located about 30 km from Hassan, is another ancient temple that displays intricate carvings and architecture.
- Manjarabad Fort was built by Tipu Sultan during his reign over Mysore kingdom; this well-preserved fort offers panoramic views of surrounding hills and valleys.
- Bisle Ghat Viewpoint- Located around 70 km away from hassan this viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic views of Western Ghats mountain ranges.
Sports Teams
- Hassan, located in Karnataka, India, has a rich history of sports with several renowned athletes hailing from the district.
- Cricket and football are among the most popular sports in Hassan with local teams competing at various levels.
- The Hassan District Cricket Association (HDCA) is responsible for organizing cricket matches and promoting the sport at a grassroots level.
- Talented footballers have gone on to represent state-level teams.
- Other sports like kabaddi, volleyball, and athletics are also played in Hassan with inter-school and inter-collegiate tournaments being hosted regularly to promote these sports among young people.
- Although there may not be any specific professional or well-known teams associated with Hassan currently, many amateur teams participate regularly at various levels within their respective sporting disciplines.
Cultural Events
- The Hassanamba Festival is a 10-day celebration that takes place in either October or November, and it is dedicated to the goddess Hasanamba.
- In March, people celebrate the Hoysala Mahotsava festival which honors the cultural heritage of the Hoysala dynasty that once ruled over Hassan.
- The Shravanabelagola Mahamastakabhisheka festival only occurs once every 12 years and involves anointing a massive statue of Lord Bahubali with holy offerings like milk and honey.
- During April or May, Hindus participate in the Karaga Festival where they carry decorated earthen pots on their heads as part of a procession.
- The Kambadahalli Utsav is held in January for three days and showcases traditional dance forms like Yakshagana as well as classical music performances.
- Every January, people celebrate Kaginele Mahotsava to honor Saint Kanaka Dasa through various cultural programs such as dance and music performances.
- Belur Chennakeshava Temple Brahmotsavam is an annual nine-day celebration that takes place during March-April at Belur Chennakeshava temple with colorful processions and rituals.
- The Hassan Diwali Mela is a week-long fair organized during Diwali season selling handicrafts, food items, clothes among other things showcasing local culture & tradition.
Cuisine
- Biryani: This is a popular dish in Hassan and can be found at many local restaurants.
- Masala Dosa: A famous South Indian breakfast item, it is available at many local eateries.
- Mysore Pak: A sweet made of gram flour, ghee, and sugar that originated from the nearby city of Mysore.
- Ragi Mudde: A traditional dish made with finger millet flour that is served with sambar or dal.
- Hotel Sri Krishna Sagar: This vegetarian restaurant serves South Indian dishes like dosas, idlis, vadas and thalis.
- Nisarga Family Restaurant: This restaurant offers a variety of cuisines including Chinese and North Indian dishes along with traditional South Indian food.
- Hotel Mayura International: This hotel has an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant serving both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
- Sri Saravana Bhavan: Another vegetarian restaurant serving authentic South Indian food like dosas, idlis etc., it also offers North Indian dishes like chole bhature etc.
- The Green Path Eco Hotel & Resort – Sattvic Restaurant : It’s an eco-friendly resort offering organic food prepared using locally sourced ingredients which are healthy as well as delicious.
- Hassan District Park
- Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Gorur Dam
- Hemavathi Reservoir
- Belur Golf Course
- KSTDC Mayura Hoysala Hotel & Resort, Belur
- Halebidu Heritage Walk
- Bisle Ghat Trekking Trail
- Manjarabad Fort Trekking Trail
- Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Tourism Project