Hassan is an important district in southwestern Karnataka, with Hassan city as its administrative headquarters. The district combines the green landscape of the Malnad region with historic temple towns, Jain pilgrimage centres, coffee-growing areas and major road and rail routes between Bengaluru, Mysuru and the Karnataka coast. Hassan is especially known for the Hoysala heritage of Belur and Halebidu, the Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola, the hills and forests around Sakleshpur, and the Hasanamba Temple in Hassan city. The district covers about 6,845 sq. km and had a population of 17,76,421 in the 2011 Census.
Quick Overview of Hassan District
| Particular | Details |
| State | Karnataka |
| District Headquarters | Hassan |
| Area | 6,845 sq. km |
| Population | 17,76,421 (Census 2011) |
| Literacy Rate | 76.06% |
| Revenue Divisions | 2 |
| Taluks | 8 |
| Revenue Villages | 2,589 |
| Gram Panchayats | 261 on the current RDPR page |
| Main Court | Hassan District Court |
| Main Railway Station | Hassan Junction |
| Railway Station Code | HAS |
| Railway Zone | South Western Railway |
| Railway Division | Mysuru Division |
| Main Hassan PIN Code | 573201 |
| Closest Airport by Distance | Mysuru Airport |
| Major Airport with Wider Connectivity | Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru |
| Official District Website | hassan.nic.in |
The district’s dedicated Rural Development and Panchayat Raj page currently lists 261 Gram Panchayats, while the homepage summary still displays 267. The detailed department page is used here because it is the more specific current administrative listing.
Location of Hassan District
Hassan lies in southwestern Karnataka and forms a transition zone between the elevated interior of southern Karnataka and the greener Malnad and Western Ghats region. Hassan city is about 187 km from Bengaluru and about 115 km from Mysuru according to the district administration. The western side of the district, particularly around Sakleshpur, is hillier and receives heavier rainfall, while the central and eastern areas include agricultural plains, towns and historic temple centres.
The Hemavati River is one of the district’s major geographical features. It supports irrigation and the large reservoir at Gorur. Coffee, paddy, sugarcane, potato, pepper and other plantation or field crops are important in different parts of the district. Hassan’s location also makes it a useful base for travellers moving between Bengaluru, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru, Mangaluru, Madikeri and the Western Ghats.
Administration of Hassan District
Hassan city is the district administrative headquarters. The district has two revenue divisions and eight revenue taluks.
Hassan Revenue Division
- Arsikere
- Channarayapatna
- Holenarasipura
- Hassan
Sakleshpur Revenue Division
- Alur
- Arkalgud
- Belur
- Sakleshpur
The current revenue-administration page lists 2,589 revenue villages. Rural development is organised through the Zilla Panchayat, eight Taluk Panchayats and the district’s Gram Panchayats. Hassan, Arsikere, Channarayapatna, Belur, Sakleshpur and Holenarasipura are among the district’s important administrative and commercial centres.
Hassan District Court
The principal judicial establishment is the Hassan District Court Complex. It handles district-level civil and criminal judicial work along with subordinate courts. Residents can use the official eCourts system to check case status, hearing dates, cause lists, orders, case numbers and CNR details.
District Court Location
Hassan District Court Complex, opposite the KSRTC New Bus Stand, Hassan, Karnataka – 573201
The court complex is within Hassan city and is convenient to reach by autorickshaw, city bus, taxi or private vehicle. Travellers arriving at Hassan Junction can continue to the court area by local road transport.
Hassan Railway Station
Hassan Junction is the principal railway station serving the district headquarters.
Railway Station Code: HAS
Hassan Junction is part of the South Western Railway network and comes under the Mysuru Division. It lies on an important rail corridor that links the interior of Karnataka with the coast. Hassan has direct or through rail connectivity towards Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Hubballi and other destinations, depending on the train.
Arsikere Junction is another important railway junction in the district and can be more convenient for travellers heading to the northern and northeastern side. Sakleshpur also has its own railway station, which is useful for visitors staying in the Western Ghats side of Hassan district.
Hassan Railway Station Location
Hassan Junction is located in the Shankaripuram area of Hassan city, Karnataka – 573201. The station is close to the main urban area and can be reached by autorickshaw, local bus, taxi or private vehicle.
Road Connectivity
Road transport is extremely important in Hassan because many of the district’s best-known tourist places are away from the main railway line. Hassan city has frequent government and private bus connections towards Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Chikkamagaluru and Madikeri. Road links also connect the headquarters with Belur, Halebidu, Shravanabelagola, Sakleshpur, Arkalgud and other taluk centres.
Visitors planning heritage trips commonly use Hassan as a base and travel by road to Belur and Halebidu. For the hill country around Sakleshpur, Bisle and Manjarabad Fort, road travel is usually the most practical way to cover local attractions.
Nearest Airport to Hassan
Hassan does not have a commercial airport of its own. Mysuru Airport is geographically closer to Hassan than Bengaluru and has scheduled domestic services. Karnataka Tourism has identified Mysuru as the closest airport for Hassan, while the Hassan district portal continues to identify Bengaluru as the nearest airport for broad domestic and international connectivity.
For travellers, the practical choice depends on the flight. Mysuru Airport can reduce the road journey when a suitable service is available, while Kempegowda International Airport near Bengaluru normally offers a much wider selection of domestic and international flights.
Hassan Pin Code
The main PIN code of Hassan city is 573201. India Post lists Hassan Head Office under PIN 573201. Different taluk headquarters and tourist towns use separate postal codes.
- Hassan – 573201
- Alur – 573213
- Arkalgud – 573102
- Arsikere – 573103
- Belur – 573115
- Channarayapatna – 573116
- Holenarasipura – 573211
- Sakleshpur – 573134
- Shravanabelagola – 573135
- Halebidu – 573121
Therefore, 573201 should not be used for every address in Hassan district. The correct PIN depends on the town, village and serving post office.
Major Tourist Places in Hassan District
Belur
Belur is famous for the Chennakeshava Temple, one of the finest surviving examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple is known for detailed stone carving, sculpted pillars and intricate decorative work. Belur is about 38 km from Hassan.
Halebidu
Halebidu, around 30 km from Hassan and about 17 km from Belur, is known for the Hoysaleshwara Temple and other remains associated with the former Hoysala capital. The richly carved temple walls make it one of the district’s most important heritage destinations.
Shravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is a major Jain pilgrimage centre known for the monumental statue of Bahubali, also called Gommateshwara. The hilltop complex, ancient inscriptions and Jain basadis give the town major religious and historical importance.
Manjarabad Fort
Manjarabad Fort lies near Sakleshpur and was built by Tipu Sultan in 1792. Its hilltop position and unusual star-shaped plan make it one of the best-known historic attractions on the Western Ghats side of the district.
Gorur Dam
The Hemavati Dam at Gorur is an important irrigation reservoir near Hassan. The surrounding landscape is especially attractive after the monsoon, although visitors should follow local safety restrictions when reservoir levels or discharge are high.
Shettihalli Church
The ruins of Shettihalli Church are famous because the old structure becomes partly submerged when the Hemavati reservoir fills during the monsoon. The appearance of the site changes greatly between the wet and dry seasons.
Hasanamba Temple
Hasanamba Temple is one of Hassan city’s best-known religious landmarks. Unlike most temples, it is opened to devotees only for a limited period around Deepavali each year, which makes planning especially important for visitors.
FAQs About Hassan District Can Belur and Halebidu be covered in the same day? Yes. Belur and Halebidu are only about 17 km apart, so they are commonly combined in one heritage trip. Starting from Hassan in the morning allows enough time for both sites if the visit is focused on the main temple complexes. Is Hasanamba Temple open throughout the year? No. The temple is unusual because it opens to the public only for a short period around Deepavali. Visitors travelling specifically for Hasanamba darshan should check that year’s official opening dates before making travel plans. Which railway station is more convenient for Manjarabad Fort and Sakleshpur? Sakleshpur Railway Station is the local rail option and Manjarabad Fort is only a few kilometres from Sakleshpur town. Hassan Junction may still be preferable when it offers a more convenient train, followed by a road journey to Sakleshpur. When is the best time to see Shettihalli Church? The experience depends on what you want to see. During the monsoon and higher reservoir levels, parts of the church can be surrounded or submerged by water. In the drier season, more of the structure and surrounding ground may be visible and accessible. Is Hassan city a good base for sightseeing across the district? Hassan is a practical base for Belur, Halebidu, Gorur and nearby attractions because it has strong rail, bus and hotel facilities. Shravanabelagola and the Sakleshpur side lie in different directions, so travellers trying to cover the whole district should normally divide sightseeing across more than one day.
Q. Can Belur and Halebidu be covered in the same day?
Yes. Belur and Halebidu are only about 17 km apart, so they are commonly combined in one heritage trip. Starting from Hassan in the morning allows enough time for both sites if the visit is focused on the main temple complexes.
Q. Is Hasanamba Temple open throughout the year?
No. The temple is unusual because it opens to the public only for a short period around Deepavali. Visitors travelling specifically for Hasanamba darshan should check that year’s official opening dates before making travel plans.
Q. Which railway station is more convenient for Manjarabad Fort and Sakleshpur?
Sakleshpur Railway Station is the local rail option and Manjarabad Fort is only a few kilometres from Sakleshpur town. Hassan Junction may still be preferable when it offers a more convenient train, followed by a road journey to Sakleshpur.
Q. When is the best time to see Shettihalli Church?
The experience depends on what you want to see. During the monsoon and higher reservoir levels, parts of the church can be surrounded or submerged by water. In the drier season, more of the structure and surrounding ground may be visible and accessible.
Q. Is Hassan city a good base for sightseeing across the district?
Hassan is a practical base for Belur, Halebidu, Gorur and nearby attractions because it has strong rail, bus and hotel facilities. Shravanabelagola and the Sakleshpur side lie in different directions, so travellers trying to cover the whole district should normally divide sightseeing across more than one day.
