Belur was the old capital of Hoysala rulers 800 years ago and it has beautiful temples and monuments built in the ancient Hoysala architectural and sculptural style. Chennakesava temple built in the 2nd century is an architectural wonder built on a star-shaped platform. It features bracket figures,exquisite panels and richly carved pillars that are masterpieces of craftsmanship. The entire surface of the grey-green schist structure is covered with rich textured relief carvings. The lintels have foliate frames running between open-mouthed aquatic monsters with detailed foliated tails. The stone grilles that filter light into the porch are raised on friezes of elephants, lotus stems, garlands and amorous couples. Brackets fashioned as female dancers, musicians and huntresses, standing gracefully under perforated trees, support the sloping eaves above the grilles. Many bear the artists signatures, as a sign of their elevated status under the Hoysalas. Even finer bracket figures can be seen inside the temple. Another temple that is worth seeing here is Veeranarayana Temple with its fine sculpted figures of various Hindu gods.