Somnathpur Temple (Karnataka)
Somnathapura near Mysore houses the
Kesava temple - the last great temple
built by the Hoysala dynasty.
Somnathpur Temple (Karnataka) Hindu Temples
Karnataka is justly called the cradle
of stone architecture, as its peerless stone wonders are eloquent
reminders of a fertile heritage. As one reaches Somnathpur, a small
village on the banks of the Kaveri, 140 kms, south-west of Bangalore,
one feels an eternal stillness and freshness in the air as if the
place is if saying eternity grows here. Here, amidst the lasting
rural serenity stands Kesava temple - one of the grandest of Hoysala
monuments.
The Kesava temple at Somnathpur, a resting village 45 km from Mysore,
is one of the most famous Hoysala temples in Karnataka, the two
others at Belur an Halebid being equally famous. The Somnathpur
temple built in AD 1268 is considered an example of the fully evolved
style of Hoysala architecture. The Hoysalas were a mighty martial
race who ruled large parts of present day Karnataka between 1100
and 1320 AD.
In the dust and turmoil of history, India was witnessing the Golden
Age of the mighty Cholas, Pandyas and the Hoysalas. The last named
dynasty which ruled Karnataka for nearly 350 years, was founded
in 1006 A.D., soon after the collapse of the Ganga Dynasty.
Coming to the temple at Somnathpur, one need not search far for
its history. An inscribed stone slab, in old Kannada, at the entrance
says it all. The reigning monarch was Narasimha III (1254-91 A.D.)
whose full regal title runs into a sizeable paragraph: "Sri
Vishnuvaradhana, Pratapa Chakravarti, Hoysala Bhujabala, Sri Vira
Narasimha, Maharajadhiraja, Raja Paramesvara, Sanivarasiddhi, Giridurgamalla
etc.
The Hoysala temple at Soswmnathpur, is truly unique in design, perfect
in proportion and the stone carvings are striking marvels in stone.
The shrine stands in the centre of a walled compound, around which
runs an open verandah with 64 cells. The temple itself, stellar
in shape, has three elaborately carved pinnacles with a common Navranga
and stands on a raised platform. The three sanctums once housed
beautifully carved idols of Kesava, Janardhana and Venugopala. Today
the idol of Lord Kesava is missing, but the other two still adorn
the sanctums in their original form.
Reaching Somnathpur
Air : Bangalore is the nearest major airport connected to most of
the major Indian cities with regular flights.
Rail : Somnathpur is situated around 40 km off Mysore and well connected
by rail to Mysore and Bangalore, which is 180 km away.
Road : Somnathpur is situated around 40 km off Mysore and well connected
by road to Mysore and Bangalore, which is 180 km away.
Other links
Hindu Temples in India
temples
Karnataka