There is a popular advice visitors get while exploring the twin Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid (Halebeedu) : See the beauty of Belur from outside and Halebid from inside.

What this tip essentially means is much of the the artistic extravaganza of the Hoysaleswara temple at Halebid is inside the temple, and that of the Chennakesava Temple is done on the exterior wall of the temple.

Many who makes it to Halebid windup their excursion just by visiting the Hoysaleswara temple. Lest they know of the two other attractions, Kedareswara temple and the Jain Temple, just at a 15 minutes walk from the Hoysaleswara temple. They are at loss!

The Jain Temple has some of the optically thrilling (reflects inverted image on the pillar ) ingenuities. The Kedareswara temple a little away on the same path is a compact but well designed temple.

From Mysore to Halebid distance is about 150km. You need to reach Hassan (120km from Mysore) first, and you have two options. The first is a direct road to Halebid from Hassan (30km). The second is via Belur and (52km).Belur to Halebid is 16km by road. A hidden gem , the Lakshmi Devi Temple at Doddagaddavalli is a short detour on the second route.You'll see the diversion Doddagaddavalli about 15km from Hassan on the way to Belur.

From Bangalore, Halebid is about 210km. Get to Hassan (car, bus,train) and follow the above route. Another alternative if you are traveling by car is, via Tumkur and Arsikere.

From Mangalore to Halebid take take the Charmadi ghat route via Belthangady and Belur follow the routes described above (total distance about 170km).

You may also explore the Mysore to Belur and Mysore to Mysore to Shravanabelagola routes.