Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura, Karnataka

Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura, Karnataka

Chennakesava Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located in Somanathapura Town in Tirumakudalu Narasipura Taluk in Mysuru District, in the Indian state of Karnataka. The Temple is situated on the banks of Cauvery River. The temple is the most ornate and perfect model of the Hoysala style of architecture. This temple is protected as monuments of national importance by the central Archaeological Survey of India.

History

Somanathapura town was founded in the 13^th century by Somanatha (Someya Dandanayaka), a general of King Narasimha III of Hoysala Dynasty. The town was named after him. He built the Chennakesava Temple in 1268 CE as per an old Kannada inscription on a stone slab. It is believed that the Keshava Temple was the last major temple built by the Hoysala dynasty. The temple suffered destruction at the hands of Muslim army. It was renovated in 16^th century CE by Vijayanagara Kingdom. The repaired temple was damaged in the 19^th century CE, then repaired again in the early 20^th century by the colonial era Mysore government.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/07/chennakesava-temple-somanathapura-temple.html

Inscriptions

There are about eight inscriptions in this temple. Four of the inscriptions are found on soapstone slabs at the entrance of the temple. Two inscriptions are found in the ceilings of the veranda that surrounds the temple, one near the southeast corner and the other about the northwest corner. There are inscriptions engraved on a slab standing at the entrance, inside the temple dated from 1269 to 1550 AD that details the construction of the temple and grants made to it. Two inscriptions, one dated 1497 CE and another to 1550 CE describe the damage and the repairs done to this temple. The temple has numerous label inscriptions which are either logo of the mason guilds or the name of the artist who carved the block, pillar or artwork.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 11 Kms from Tirumakudalu Narasipura, 12 Kms from Tirumakudalu Narasipura Bus Stand, 35 Kms from Mysuru, 35 Kms from Mysuru Junction Railway Station, 37 Kms from Srirangapatna, 37 Kms from Kollegal, 40 Kms from Nanjangud, 43 Kms from Mysuru Airport, 133 Kms from Bengaluru and 175 Kms from Bengaluru Airport. The Temple is situated on Tirumakudalu Narasipura to Srirangapatna route.

Location | Photos