Keshava Temple, Somnathpura

I had been to Somnathpura in October 2005, thanks to the recommendation from my friend, Naresh Vedagiri (avid photographer). Presenting some pics here that should make you visit this place. I might be driving back to this place next Saturday! Mmmm...

Somnathpura is third of the 3 great Hoysala architecture temples, the other 2 being Belur and Halebid. Though Belur and Halebid are touted as international tourist destinations close to Hassan, west from Bangalore, I personally felt Somnathpura was a better exhibition of beautiful exquisite architecture. It is also the most well maintained of the 3. Halebid is incomplete and has suffered most damage amongst the 3. There are 2 deities in this temple and both temples are connected to each other on the same platform. Belur temple has beautiful apsara sculptures and many other intricate carvings. I have been to all these temples, and somehow Somnathpura appealed to me the most.

Somnathpura has a very unique star shaped design. There are 3 gopuras, one for each garbha griha. The 3 deities are Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala.


Somnathpura Temple - 3 gopuras. Courtesy from an online blog.


Somnathpura Temple - Star design evident in the silhoutte


Somnathpura Temple - Walls, Compound, Blue Skies... everything!


Somnathpura Temple - Exquisite architecture


Somnathpura temple - Details in panelling


Somnathpura Temple - Goddess Saraswati


Somnathpura Temple - Delicate patterns carved on the roof.

A quick fact about these temples. These temples were made out of a stone mined from the earth and were carved when it was still soft. These stones became hard on exposure to atmosphere. And what you get to see is something truly heavenly.

Read more about the temple and its architecture at this link and this link.

How to get there?

From Bangalore: Take the Mysore Road and continue on towards Mysore on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. It has been widened into a 4 lane highway and obviously a pleasure to drive on. It is about 140 kms SE from Bangalore. As you approach Srirangapatnam, you get a diversion for Somnathpura. Take that diversion and Somnathpura is about 28 kms from that point. You can return via the same route.

From Mysore: Proceed towards T Narsipura and then proceed towards Somnathpura. It is just 35 kms or so from Mysore.

Where to eat?
If you intend to go to Mysore, you should go to the old Dasaprakash hotel for a true treat of South Indian cuisine. You will smack your lips and lick your fingers long after you are done eating, for the taste of the great food will linger on for a long time. And if you are on your way to Mysore or returning to Bangalore, stop by at Kamat's for a taste of North Kanara cuisine. Specifically ask for North Kanara Thali.