Somnathpur

While on an excursion from Mysore one is bound to visit the town of Somnathpur situated 30 kilometers from the city of palaces. The town derives its name from its founder Somnath, the chief commander of the Hoysala army. He also built the most famous Chennakesava Temple dedicated to Hindu Lord Keshava. Chennakesava Temple is more popularly known as the Keshava Temple.

Built in 1268 CE under Hoysala King Narsimha III, the Keshava Temple is a brilliant example of the architectural style of the Hoysalas. The temple is erected on a star shaped platform. The edges of the podium are ornamented with carved friezes. These intricate friezes portray rows of cavalry and scenes from the great Hindu epics. The rows also feature figures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses mainly Lord Vishnu in his various incarnations. The temple premises also include three sacred shrines and three sanctums. The northern sanctum of the Temple has an idol of Hindu Lord Janardhana while the southern sanctum houses the idol of Hindu Lord Venugopala. The third idol of Lord Keshava has been missing from the temple premises.

The history of the temples is inscribed on the stone slab at the main gateway of the temple. Built in 1268 AD, one of the unique features of the temple is the open verandah which includes 64 cells. The sculptures at the Keshava temple also include the names of the sculptors who managed to immortalize the great epics and tales of the Hoysala Kingdom. This temple at Somnathpur, Karnataka is worth visiting while touring Mysore.

Somnathpur Town is also an ideal place to interact with nature and one can plan a family picnic in this quaint South Indian town. Though the temple town is not as famous as its counterpart at Belur and Halebid, the Hoysala temple at Somnathpur, is a unique example of Hoysala architecture and the stone carvings houses inside the premises are amazing examples of stone sculpture.