Hassan is a district in Karnataka state, India. The district capital is Hassan city. Hassan district was the seat of the Hoysala empire which at its peak ruled large parts of south India from Belur as its early capital and Halebidu as its later capital during the period 1000 - 1334 CE. Today Hassan is primarily known worldwide for its Hoysala architecture and is a veritable treasure trove of about fifty sculptural marvels tucked away in several villages and towns of the district. Hassan is also well known nationally for modern technology. The Master Control Facility of the Indian Space Research Organization is located here.

The Hassan City more fully and meaningfully known as the Simhaasana Nagari originally, before the mutation of names made by foreign rulers is the administrative centre of the Hassan district which is the invaluable crown of the Karnataka state.

The Haemavati, the Yagachi a part of the Cauvery form the life blood running through the veins of this area. Dams have been constructed across the Haemavati and the Yagachi near Gorur and Belur.

The Nandas, the Mouryas, the Kadambas, the Calukyas, the Hoysalas, the Lords of Vijaya Nagar Empire, the Kings of Belur, and the Monarchs of Mysore - thus several dynasties had their dominions over this land. Belur and Halebeedu have revelled in History as the Capitals of the Hoysala Reign.

The history of Hassan districit is essentially the history of two of the well known dynasties that have ruled Karnataka, the Western Ganga dynasty of Talkad (350 - 999 CE.) and the Hoysala Empire(1000 - 1334 CE). In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Vijayanagar kings patronised Chennakesava of Belur as their family deity. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Hassan became a land of contention between the Keladi Nayakas of Shimoga and the Mysore Kingdom. It finally merged with an independent Mysore kingdom.

The Hoysalas claim to immortality arises from their contribution to Karnataka culture, Kannada literature and their own unique style of vesara architecture.

Hassan district has a special place in Kannada history in that Halmidi, a tiny village in Belur taluk is the home of the oldest known Kannada language inscription in Kannada script dated 450 CE. The inscription whose date is sometimes debated as 425 CE. is attributed to king Kakusthavarma, great-great-grandson of king Mayurasharma, founder of the Kadamba dynasty.

Places of Interest

Belur: 34 km from Hassan town is situated on the banks of Yagachi river. The Chennakesava Temple built by Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD is a monument of supreme architectural beauty. The intricate carvings on its stone walls and the gravity pillars in the courtyard are the unique features of this temple.

Gorur: 22 km from Hassan town is where a dam across the river Hemavathi has been built. This place is a pleasant picnic spot.

Halebidu: 39 km from Hassan town and 16 km from Belur is the home of the famous Hoysaleswara temple. Built in 1121, the walls of the temple are covered with detailed friezes and sculptures depicting scenes narrated in great Hindu epics. another famous temple near here is the Kedareshwara temple known for the rich quality of its sculptures.

Shravanabelagola: 52 km from Hassan town is a popular Jain piligrimage center. It is wedged between two rocky hills, Indragiri and Chandragiri. The monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, a Jain saint standing atop the Indragiri hill is 17 meters tall and is said to be one of the tallest monolithic statues in the world. About 1100 years old, the statue was commissioned by Chavundaraya, army commander of the Ganga Dynasty that ruled southern Karnataka from about 350 AD-999 AD. Mahamastakabhisheka is a ceremony held here once every 12 years when devotees offer prayers to the great Jain saint.

Bisle reserve forest: or Bisle ghat, one of Karnataka's best trekking destinations.