The Garuda statue is at the entrance of Chennakesava temple, Belur. Chennakesava literally means “handsome Kesava” and is a form of Hindu God Vishnu. This particular statue has been done by Javaracharya Mysore, as the inscription behind the statue depicts.

South Indian temples have a common design practice of erecting a statue related to the God to whom the temple is dedicated at the temple’s entrance.

For instance, its so common to see a Nandi statue at the entrance of a temple dedicated to lord Shiva, on the same lines this temple has on display a Garuda statue clearly signifying that the the temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu.

Lord Garuda: with the head and wings of an Eagle and rest of the body like that of a man is considered as the king of birds and also the carrier of lord Vishnu.