The Somanathapura Temple, also referred to as Chennakeshava Temple, is a 13th-century Vaishnava Hindu temple on the banks of River Kaveri at Somanathapura, Karnataka, India. It is located around 38 kilometers east of Mysuru city.
The temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III. The ornate temple is a model illustration of the Hoysala architecture, known for its intricate details and craftsmanship.
The temple is enclosed in a courtyard with a pillared corridor of small shrines (damaged). The Keshava temple faces east and has a major gate (mahadvara) leading into the complex.
Outside the walls before the gate stands a tall pillar, which once had a Garuda statue on top, which is now missing. Inside the gate, to the left are vertical standing inscription stones. These stones have the form of the hero stones, with the top decorated with Hindu iconography as well as miniature reliefs of Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala. The inscription is in old Kannada.
The small entrance mandapa is supported by lathe-carved soapstone pillars. The temple itself has three shrines, all facing east. The central shrine, which is the largest, is dedicated to Chennakeshava, a form of Vishnu. The other two shrines are dedicated to Janardhana and Venugopala, also forms of Vishnu.
The exteriors of the temple are covered in elaborate carvings that depict religious stories and scenes from Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. The friezes also depict scenes from everyday life, such as dancing, hunting, and warfare.
The temple is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Here are some additional details that you might find helpful when planning your visit to the Somanathapura Temple:
- Timings: The temple is open from dawn to dusk.
- Entry Fee: There is a nominal entry fee for Indian citizens and a higher fee for foreign tourists.
- Photography: Photography is allowed inside the temple complex.
Since it is quite close to Talakadu, which is known for its group of temples, you can combine a visit to both places in a single day. Talakad, once a flourishing town, is now known as the "cursed city" because of a legendary curse. The place now has several Shiva temples, some of which are buried in sand. The five Shiva temples here are collectively known as "Pancha Linga".
Here are some of the temples you can visit in Talakadu:
- Vaidyanatheswara Temple
- Pataleshwara Temple
- Maruleshwara Temple
- Arkeshwara Temple
- Mallikarjuna Temple
There is a festival called Pancha Linga Darshana which is a rare sight where all five Shiva temples are open for public viewing. This festival happens once every 12 years.