Do not come back from Hassan without visiting the most famous places in Hassan. Yes, you heard us right! Your trip to Hassan is not fruitful until you see these 8 places! So have a look at these places through our specially curated list and make your Hassan trip more memorable, fun, and thrilling.
Named after the Hasanamba temple, Hassan is a district in the state of Karnataka. If you look at the city’s history, you would have to go back to the 11th century during the rule of the Hoysala Dynasty. When you visit Hassan, you will see that most places were built by the rulers and architects from the Hoysala Empire.
8 Famous Places in Hassan
1. Hasanamba Temple – Iconic Famous Places in Hassan
The temple after which the city is named is one of the most iconic places in the city. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Shakti and is open to the public for only two weeks during the festival of Diwali! Devotees offer rice and light a lamp to honor the goddess and offer their prayers.
Many people believe that the rice offered never gets rotten and the lamp lit for the goddess remains lit until the next time the temple’s doors are open. The Hasanamba temple is one of the most famous places in Hassan, and you definitely should pay a visit to this place.
The temple is 800 years old and is located just around a kilometer away from the city center. When the temple opens its doors to the public, the timings of the place are 7 AM-10 PM. There are no entry charges for regular entry and darshan, but you would have to pay Rs 1000 for direct darshan and Rs 300 for special entry.
2. Shettihalli Church – Famous Picnic and Sightseeing Spots in Hassan
Constructed by French missionaries in the 1860s, the Shettihalli Church is one of the most famous places in Hassan. You would see a hint of Gothic aspect in its architecture. You might be wondering what is so special about the Church as it seems like any other church. The Shettihalli Church is also known as ’ The Submerged Church’ or ‘The Floating Church.’ This is because, in the 1960s, the Church started submerging in the water.
The Gorur Reservoir was specially built to divert the water from the Church. However, every year in the monsoon season, the Church is submerged in water once again! When the reservoir was built, the water went to the nearby villages, and they started to get flooded. As a result, all habitations near the Church were abandoned, meaning that the Church was also abandoned.
Fast forward to today, the Church is one of the famous picnic and sightseeing spots in Hassan. Many people come to visit this unique place each year! Do note that there are no entry charges to visit the place, and the place remains open from 6 AM to 6 PM.
3. Maharaja Park – Ideal Tourist Spot in Hassan for a Date
Maharaja Park is a very famous tourist place in Hassan. The place is trendy among the locals as well. It is the best picnic spot in the city. The park is very well maintained and has various kinds of trees, bushes, flowers, and plants.
If you are traveling as a family, your kids would be glad to see the special kids zone in the park where they can play as much as they want. With spacious walkways and lush green surroundings, the Maharaja park is ideal for a date. This is the reason it is trendy and visited by a lot of couples as well! It is one of the most famous places in Hassan, and you should consider visiting it!
Note that the place remains open from 6 AM to 8 PM, and there are no entry charges. The place is great for visiting with family, friends, your sweetheart, or even solo! You would have a great time here!
4. Gorur Dam – Famous Water Places in Hassan
The Gorur Dam is also known as the Hemavathi Dam and is one of the best water places near Hassan. The Dam is constructed on the Hemavathi river, and you will find beautiful green landscapes all around it.
Gorur Dam is also one of the famous places in Hassan for the people who love wildlife and are avid bird watchers. People love this place as it has many birds that flock to the structure very frequently. Covering 2810 sq km, the Dam was constructed in 1979 for drinking, irrigation, and household chores.
The Dam is also a great picnic spot and is visited by many tourists and locals. The views from the Dam are stunning. It would be best if you took your camera with you when you visit this place as it would help you capture the indescribable beauty of the Dam.
With a height of 58.5 meters and 4,692 meters, the reservoir includes six massive radial spillway gates. There are no entry charges to visit the place, and the Gorur Dam remains open for visitors from 9 AM to 5 PM.
5. Kedareshwar Temple – Famous Holy Places in Hassan
It was built in 1220 AD by Veer Ballala II, the king of Hoysala. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built in the old Hoysala style in a soaprock. The temple has many carvings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, which depict their lives. You would also find various other structures and carvings that depict the holy Bhagwat Gita, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata.
The temple is built on the banks of the river Narmada. If you ever search for Hassan’s famous temple, you will find the mention of Kedareshwar Temple. It is a very significant and one of the most famous places in Hassan.
The temple has a very holy and divine atmosphere. Once you enter the temple, you will feel positivity in your heart and soul. The Kedareshwar temple remains open from 10 AM to 5 PM on all days except Fridays. Do note that there are no entry charges to visit the temple.
6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – Famous Religious Spot in Hassan
Bommanna Dandanayaka built the Laxmi Narasimha temple. Bommanna Dandanayaka was a commander in the Hoysala Dynasty. The temple was built in the 13th century and is built of soapstone. You would notice the ancient Hoysala-style architecture in its structure.
It is dedicated to goddess Laxmi and is visited by many tourists and locals throughout the year. If you love history and are also a great fan of religious tourism, you would love this place. You would also find various ancient sculptures, carvings, and relics in the Lakshmi Narasimha temple.
The temple is one of the most famous places in Hassan. It remains open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays and Mondays and 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM on the rest of the days.
7. Ishvara Temple – Famous Shiva Temple in Hassan
Another great gift from the Hoysala Dynasty is the Ishvara temple. The temple is known for its marvelous architecture and rich and vivid heritage. The temple was built in the 11th century, and you would be shocked to see how well it stands even today. The fine work of artisans back then is a delight for the eyes even today.
The temple was built by the kings of the Hoysala dynasty and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Although you would find a similar style of architecture as in other Hoysala Dynasty structures, one thing that is unique about this temple is the complexity and the fineness in the carvings and sculptures here.
You wouldn’t believe that human hands do all that work! It is a single shrine temple, and there is a lot of culture, heritage, and history attached to it. The Ishvara temple remains open from 9 AM to 6 PM, and there are no entry charges to visit the temple.
8. Bhagwan Bahubali Statue – Seven Wonders of India
The Bhagwan Bahubali Statue is one of the most famous places in Hassan. It is also known as the Gomateshwara statue, the world’s highest monolithic statue at 17 meters. Chamundaraya built it in the 10th century. Chamundaraya was the general of the King Rajamalla of the Ganga dynasty.
Not many people know this, but in 2005, the Bhagwan Bahubali statue was awarded as one of the seven wonders of India. The statue is also known as the Gomoteshwar statue and is visited by many tourists throughout the year! It is dedicated to Lord Bahubali, who is a very significant figure among the Jains. If you ever ask someone what Hassan is famous for, you would most certainly get the name of this statue as an answer.
The monument is washed in ghee, saffron, milk, and curd, among other things, once every 12 years during the Mahamastakabhisheka festival. Hassan is famous for its spectacular celebrations. Do note, you would have to pay Rs 200 as entry fees, and the place remains open from 6 AM to 5:30 PM.
The places mentioned above were the most famous places in Hassan. Everyone who goes to Hassan visits these places as they are trendy among tourists. If you ask a local in Hassan for travel suggestions in the city, they will name a place from this list! Do consider visiting them on your trip to Hassan, as these places would make your trip more special!