In this article we share our visit experience of "ChennaKeshava Temple" at Somanathapura , a panchayat town in Mysore district which attracts with its serene beauty and historic spots - 140 kms from Bangalore.
In this continued article , we cover the temple sanctum outside wall carvings . Don't miss to check out our previous parts of this article covering other awesome spots of this temple. Part1 Part2 Part3 Part4 Part5
The construction of this temple was caused by Somanatha, a high officer under Hoysala king Narasimha III (1254-1291 AD) . It is a splendid example of the Hoysala style of architecture, it stands on a raised platform in the centre of a spacious enclosure having 64 cells. This 3 celled (Trikutachala) structure consists of 3 garbha grihas , 3 antaralas and a naravang. It has a mahadwara standing on the east, the images of venugopala, kesava and Janardhana are installed in the cells which are surmounted by elegantly carved
sikharas.
The basement of the outer wall is highly ornamented with friezes of elephants , scrolls , epic and puranic scenes, small images with intervening turrets and columns with figures in between , number of gods and goddess and their attendants adorn the walls, the lathe turned pillars and delicately carved 16 different types of ceilings are the characteristic feature of the Hoysala art. The names of a number of sculptors i.e, Mallithamma , Masanathamma , Chameya , Bhameya etc are carved on the pedestials of the images. It is
observed that Mallithamma has not only carved the maximum number of images but also carved the northern sikhara that of Janardhana cell.
Read on the next parts of this article where we cover further temple internals and exterior awesome carvings and structures. Do visit this spot and share your experience. Check out our touring spots guide for more details on other spots
In this continued article , we cover the temple sanctum outside wall carvings . Don't miss to check out our previous parts of this article covering other awesome spots of this temple. Part1 Part2 Part3 Part4 Part5
The construction of this temple was caused by Somanatha, a high officer under Hoysala king Narasimha III (1254-1291 AD) . It is a splendid example of the Hoysala style of architecture, it stands on a raised platform in the centre of a spacious enclosure having 64 cells. This 3 celled (Trikutachala) structure consists of 3 garbha grihas , 3 antaralas and a naravang. It has a mahadwara standing on the east, the images of venugopala, kesava and Janardhana are installed in the cells which are surmounted by elegantly carved
sikharas.
The basement of the outer wall is highly ornamented with friezes of elephants , scrolls , epic and puranic scenes, small images with intervening turrets and columns with figures in between , number of gods and goddess and their attendants adorn the walls, the lathe turned pillars and delicately carved 16 different types of ceilings are the characteristic feature of the Hoysala art. The names of a number of sculptors i.e, Mallithamma , Masanathamma , Chameya , Bhameya etc are carved on the pedestials of the images. It is
observed that Mallithamma has not only carved the maximum number of images but also carved the northern sikhara that of Janardhana cell.
Read on the next parts of this article where we cover further temple internals and exterior awesome carvings and structures. Do visit this spot and share your experience. Check out our touring spots guide for more details on other spots
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