Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura
Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura
Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
34 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Dr Prashanth B Nirvani Rao
Tumkur, Karnataka, India77 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Somanathapura is a hidden gem located about 35 km from Mysuru, Karnataka. Known for the stunning Keshava Temple, built during the Hoysala dynasty, it’s a masterpiece of ancient Indian architecture. The temple is famous for its intricate carvings, detailed sculptures, and star-shaped layout, all of which showcase the artistic excellence of the Hoysala era.
The temple, though not used for worship, offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers. The serene surroundings and well-preserved carvings make Somanathapura a fascinating cultural spot.
The temple, though not used for worship, offers a peaceful atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers. The serene surroundings and well-preserved carvings make Somanathapura a fascinating cultural spot.
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ARVIND K
Bengaluru, India701 contributions
Feb 2022
An architectural masterpiece of a Temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava (meaning “handsome Keshava”), is located on the banks of River Cauvery at Somanathapura, near Mysore. Being nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage tag, recently, the site is a big draw among tourists.
Though located 130 kms from Bangalore, I decided against making a day trip, that may do injustice to the marvellous Temple. Instead I travelled to Mysore, stayed overnight so that I can start early in the morning to be the first one to enter the Temple and thereby avoid the crowd and the harsh sun. The distance of 35 kms from Mysore to Somanathapura village can be covered in about 45 minutes and the road is simply superb with less traffic. However there are not enough signboards on the way to help us reach the site, except a small one located close to the village. I also booked the Entrance tickets online a day in advance, since I heard stories from people who struggled to get network connectivity in the sleepy town of Somanathapura, to book tickets online using the QR code displayed prominently near the entrance.
I reached the Temple at 9:00am, when it was time to open the gates. There was no tourist and the sun was not too harsh either. First thing I did was to hire a Guide, who was found inside the Temple premises and surprisingly not near the gate. He was the only guide available, seemed knowledgeable and I had no other choice. He was hired and I was very impressed with the way he explained the story behind the Temple, details about every sculpture and idol, both outside and inside the Temple premises.
The Chennakesava Temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III and hence the name Somanathapura given to the place. Interestingly the Temples at Belur and HalebIdu were consecrated about 100 years earlier while the Temples of Hampi came up 100 to 300 years after Somanathapura. It was fascinating to hear that it took 58 years to construct the Temple by more than 500 sculptors.
The Temple is a classic example of the famous Hoysala architecture and is one of the three Temples from India to be nominated for the UNESCO world heritage list for 2022-23, in addition to Belur and HalebIdu. The building material used in the Chennakesava is soapstone, which is soft when quarried and allows artists to carve details more easily. There are several other Temples of Lord Chennakesava made during the Hoysala empire in this region and each Temple deserves a word of praise.
Unfortunately the Temple is no longer used as a place of worship because the idols have been broken and desecrated by the invading Muslim armies led by Mallik Kafur, the General of Allaudin Khilji in 1311 and later in 1326 by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. There is not a single sculpture, that is not chipped off either at the nose or the arms or legs except the statues of two “dwarpals” or door-men. What did they gain by spoiling the beautiful sculptures, is beyond apprehension!!
The base of the Temple is a typical star shape foundation, which is the signature style of the Hoysala architecture. The carving of the pillars, sealing, plinth and dome are awe inspiring. The plinth area is designed with shapes of animals like elephants, horses. Every sculpture and pose is unique and different from the other. The pillars at the entrance and inside the Temple were carved by lathe machines of the ancient times with manual rotary axis, which was interesting thing to know. The guide also showed how the pillars were joined from the base to the top, using gridlock or inter-locking technology for easy installation.
At the main entrance, there is a huge stone slab which has inscription in old Kannada script which describes the entire story behind the Temple right from the construction to consecration. It has names of the sculptors and detailed description of each sculpture and idols. Just outside the Temple entrance is a tall pillar apparently used to light lamps during the festivals. The outer walls of the Temple have elephants, horses, army contingent, scrolls and stories depicted from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwat Purana. Some of the stories relate to the birth of Rama, the games played by Pandavas and Kauravas, Krishna stealing butter, holding the Govardhan mountain, fighting Kaliya the Cobra etc. Some of the idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses that caught my attention – Vishnu with Lakshmi, whose feet are resting on the lotus supported by an elephant, Durga killing Mahishasura who takes up human from from a buffalo, Indra seated on Airavatha, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesha, Saraswati, Krishna and Lakshmi in dancing pose, etc. Interestingly the chief architect and the sculptors were devotees of Lord Shiva, yet they built such a wonderful Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The interiors of the Temple has beautifully lathe carved pillars and idols of Venugopala and Janardhana though the original idol of Keshava at the centre of the Temple is missing, where a replica now stands. Apparently the original idol can be found in the London museum. The ceiling is studded with carvings of Banana and Lotus flower buds and other design patterns. Even a square inch of the structure is not left unsculpted. The pillars are round and smooth and makes one wonder the technological advancement of people 1,000 years ago. The raised platform on which the Temple is built is one of its kind among all Temples of India. This is a “Trikuta” Temple complex housing three "garbha-grihas" for Keshava, Venugopala and Janardhana. You can also see micro arts on the pillars, the ceiling and in the “Gopura” as well.
The guide was happy to showcase the intricately drilled holes in the pillars made of soapstone, inside the Temple premises. It was bit dark and hence easy to see how light passes through these holes.
The Somnathpura Temple has intricate carvings which are out of this world. The statues and carvings in the Temple have to be seen to be believed. This is one of the best places to admire the example of Hoyasala architecture. It’s so intricate that you can even see the finger nails, rings on all fingers of each carvings. This state of the art is something that every Indian should be proud of – for it's history and culture. Every corner of this Temple is made with utmost accuracy and beauty that will hold your attention. It took me around 90 minutes to see the entire place as we tend to spend more time taking photos and videos.
The place is very well maintained especially the green lawns around the Temple. However the Toilets are in pathetic condition, which the Management should seriously look into. There are few small joints around the place serving tea/coffee, cold drinks but there is no Restaurant nearby. Since I visited on a weekday, the crowd was thin but as per the guide, the crowd is much more on weekends and holidays and foreign tourists have not visited this place for the last 2 years. Now that the Temple is soon to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has garnered lot of interest among tourists visiting Mysore.
Yet the beauty of the Temple still charms thousands of tourists, who visit the site to witness the magnificent artistic and engineering achievements of the era, to seek the Lord's blessing and admire the delicate carvings and sculptures, whose beauty is unequal and as unique as the God that it houses.
Important information:
• Timings : 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (all days of the week)
• Ticket: Very nominal fee of INR 20 per person. Need to be booked online using QR code
• Time Required : 1-2 hrs
• Parking: Ample parking available for INR 30 per vehicle
• Cleanliness: 4 out of 5 stars (Clean and well maintained surrounding); 1 star deducted for badly maintained Toilets
• Food: No restaurant except for few small shops
• Guide: Hire a guide since he will explain the history of the Temple, details of all the sculptures, carvings and the idols. Mr Sannegowda MC is a knowledgeable guide, who charges Rs 350
• Important tips: Better to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowd and also avoid visiting post 12noon upto 3pm, since you have to remove shoes and walk around the place, when the sun is harsh; Wear a hat or cap to protect your head from hot sun and ofcourse a good camera to shoot pictures and videos.
Though located 130 kms from Bangalore, I decided against making a day trip, that may do injustice to the marvellous Temple. Instead I travelled to Mysore, stayed overnight so that I can start early in the morning to be the first one to enter the Temple and thereby avoid the crowd and the harsh sun. The distance of 35 kms from Mysore to Somanathapura village can be covered in about 45 minutes and the road is simply superb with less traffic. However there are not enough signboards on the way to help us reach the site, except a small one located close to the village. I also booked the Entrance tickets online a day in advance, since I heard stories from people who struggled to get network connectivity in the sleepy town of Somanathapura, to book tickets online using the QR code displayed prominently near the entrance.
I reached the Temple at 9:00am, when it was time to open the gates. There was no tourist and the sun was not too harsh either. First thing I did was to hire a Guide, who was found inside the Temple premises and surprisingly not near the gate. He was the only guide available, seemed knowledgeable and I had no other choice. He was hired and I was very impressed with the way he explained the story behind the Temple, details about every sculpture and idol, both outside and inside the Temple premises.
The Chennakesava Temple was consecrated in 1258 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala King Narasimha III and hence the name Somanathapura given to the place. Interestingly the Temples at Belur and HalebIdu were consecrated about 100 years earlier while the Temples of Hampi came up 100 to 300 years after Somanathapura. It was fascinating to hear that it took 58 years to construct the Temple by more than 500 sculptors.
The Temple is a classic example of the famous Hoysala architecture and is one of the three Temples from India to be nominated for the UNESCO world heritage list for 2022-23, in addition to Belur and HalebIdu. The building material used in the Chennakesava is soapstone, which is soft when quarried and allows artists to carve details more easily. There are several other Temples of Lord Chennakesava made during the Hoysala empire in this region and each Temple deserves a word of praise.
Unfortunately the Temple is no longer used as a place of worship because the idols have been broken and desecrated by the invading Muslim armies led by Mallik Kafur, the General of Allaudin Khilji in 1311 and later in 1326 by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. There is not a single sculpture, that is not chipped off either at the nose or the arms or legs except the statues of two “dwarpals” or door-men. What did they gain by spoiling the beautiful sculptures, is beyond apprehension!!
The base of the Temple is a typical star shape foundation, which is the signature style of the Hoysala architecture. The carving of the pillars, sealing, plinth and dome are awe inspiring. The plinth area is designed with shapes of animals like elephants, horses. Every sculpture and pose is unique and different from the other. The pillars at the entrance and inside the Temple were carved by lathe machines of the ancient times with manual rotary axis, which was interesting thing to know. The guide also showed how the pillars were joined from the base to the top, using gridlock or inter-locking technology for easy installation.
At the main entrance, there is a huge stone slab which has inscription in old Kannada script which describes the entire story behind the Temple right from the construction to consecration. It has names of the sculptors and detailed description of each sculpture and idols. Just outside the Temple entrance is a tall pillar apparently used to light lamps during the festivals. The outer walls of the Temple have elephants, horses, army contingent, scrolls and stories depicted from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagwat Purana. Some of the stories relate to the birth of Rama, the games played by Pandavas and Kauravas, Krishna stealing butter, holding the Govardhan mountain, fighting Kaliya the Cobra etc. Some of the idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses that caught my attention – Vishnu with Lakshmi, whose feet are resting on the lotus supported by an elephant, Durga killing Mahishasura who takes up human from from a buffalo, Indra seated on Airavatha, Brahma, Shiva, Ganesha, Saraswati, Krishna and Lakshmi in dancing pose, etc. Interestingly the chief architect and the sculptors were devotees of Lord Shiva, yet they built such a wonderful Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The interiors of the Temple has beautifully lathe carved pillars and idols of Venugopala and Janardhana though the original idol of Keshava at the centre of the Temple is missing, where a replica now stands. Apparently the original idol can be found in the London museum. The ceiling is studded with carvings of Banana and Lotus flower buds and other design patterns. Even a square inch of the structure is not left unsculpted. The pillars are round and smooth and makes one wonder the technological advancement of people 1,000 years ago. The raised platform on which the Temple is built is one of its kind among all Temples of India. This is a “Trikuta” Temple complex housing three "garbha-grihas" for Keshava, Venugopala and Janardhana. You can also see micro arts on the pillars, the ceiling and in the “Gopura” as well.
The guide was happy to showcase the intricately drilled holes in the pillars made of soapstone, inside the Temple premises. It was bit dark and hence easy to see how light passes through these holes.
The Somnathpura Temple has intricate carvings which are out of this world. The statues and carvings in the Temple have to be seen to be believed. This is one of the best places to admire the example of Hoyasala architecture. It’s so intricate that you can even see the finger nails, rings on all fingers of each carvings. This state of the art is something that every Indian should be proud of – for it's history and culture. Every corner of this Temple is made with utmost accuracy and beauty that will hold your attention. It took me around 90 minutes to see the entire place as we tend to spend more time taking photos and videos.
The place is very well maintained especially the green lawns around the Temple. However the Toilets are in pathetic condition, which the Management should seriously look into. There are few small joints around the place serving tea/coffee, cold drinks but there is no Restaurant nearby. Since I visited on a weekday, the crowd was thin but as per the guide, the crowd is much more on weekends and holidays and foreign tourists have not visited this place for the last 2 years. Now that the Temple is soon to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, it has garnered lot of interest among tourists visiting Mysore.
Yet the beauty of the Temple still charms thousands of tourists, who visit the site to witness the magnificent artistic and engineering achievements of the era, to seek the Lord's blessing and admire the delicate carvings and sculptures, whose beauty is unequal and as unique as the God that it houses.
Important information:
• Timings : 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (all days of the week)
• Ticket: Very nominal fee of INR 20 per person. Need to be booked online using QR code
• Time Required : 1-2 hrs
• Parking: Ample parking available for INR 30 per vehicle
• Cleanliness: 4 out of 5 stars (Clean and well maintained surrounding); 1 star deducted for badly maintained Toilets
• Food: No restaurant except for few small shops
• Guide: Hire a guide since he will explain the history of the Temple, details of all the sculptures, carvings and the idols. Mr Sannegowda MC is a knowledgeable guide, who charges Rs 350
• Important tips: Better to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowd and also avoid visiting post 12noon upto 3pm, since you have to remove shoes and walk around the place, when the sun is harsh; Wear a hat or cap to protect your head from hot sun and ofcourse a good camera to shoot pictures and videos.
Written 1 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michaël
Londerzeel, Belgium790 contributions
Oct 2019
The Keshava temple isn't the biggest, but it's collection of soap stone carvings is breath taking. both the inside of the temple as well as the architecture are worth a look.
Written 21 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ria1104
Kolkata (Calcutta), India674 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
It is one of the best example of Hoysala architecture and trust me one of the most amazing piece of art that I have seen. Its walls were so intricately decorated that it could take days if someone wanted to inspect them carefully. Also if you look at the temple from certain angles then looking at the sculptures at the base you will get a feel that an army with cavalry is marching for the war. Inside there is a stone idol of Lord Krishna but I am not sure if this was the original idol that used to be worshipped during those times. It hurt me to see that a place this beautiful and full of history is so less appreciated by people. People from Bangalore go to Hampi to get a taste of history but don't come to Somenathapura which is just at an hour's distance from Mysore.
Written 17 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cris H
Pittsburgh, PA556 contributions
Oct 2019
We visited as a group of four on our way down to Bandipur and spent about 30 minutes wandering around the site. The temple is beautiful, really well maintained and very clean inside. The detail on some of the stone carvings were gorgeous even after so many years. The only down side was a rude "government guide" who kept following us around telling us we don't understand anything and we need to have him tell us about the site. Even after four rebuttals be still followed us which was super annoying and ruined the experience.
Written 12 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yuvraj Asijit A
Bengaluru, India103 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
The temple is the most ornate and perfect model of the Hoyasala style of architecture. The temple stands on a high stellate platform, and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard surrounded by pillared corridors with sub-shrines. The temple full of elaborate carved doorways, and beautifully executed ceilings. The names of a number of sculptures are carved on the pedestals of the images.
The detailing of rock carving is amazing. The basement of the outer wall is highly ornated with friezes of elephants, scroll, epics and small puranic scenes (from Mahabharata and Ramayana), different forms of Vishnu, small images with intervening turrets and columns with figures in between. Easily you need 2hrs to see all the details. If you like photography, then keep 4 hrs in hand. If you interest in Indian art and sculpture, this temple is a must. The beauty can not be described in words.
This temple was built by Somanatha Dandanayaka (dated back to 13th century AD), a general of Hoyasala king Narasimha III. Other two temples which represent Hoysala temple architecture are located at Belur and Halebidu.
Roads connecting to this temple are excellent. There is a parking fee of Rs.30. Entry fee for adult Indian is Rs.25. For kids below 15, entry is free. The property is maintained by ASI. It is suggested to hire a guide, who charge Rs.300. They explain in details. There are no decent restaurants nearby. Nearest restaurant is located on Mysore road near Maddur.
The detailing of rock carving is amazing. The basement of the outer wall is highly ornated with friezes of elephants, scroll, epics and small puranic scenes (from Mahabharata and Ramayana), different forms of Vishnu, small images with intervening turrets and columns with figures in between. Easily you need 2hrs to see all the details. If you like photography, then keep 4 hrs in hand. If you interest in Indian art and sculpture, this temple is a must. The beauty can not be described in words.
This temple was built by Somanatha Dandanayaka (dated back to 13th century AD), a general of Hoyasala king Narasimha III. Other two temples which represent Hoysala temple architecture are located at Belur and Halebidu.
Roads connecting to this temple are excellent. There is a parking fee of Rs.30. Entry fee for adult Indian is Rs.25. For kids below 15, entry is free. The property is maintained by ASI. It is suggested to hire a guide, who charge Rs.300. They explain in details. There are no decent restaurants nearby. Nearest restaurant is located on Mysore road near Maddur.
Written 21 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Uttam G
40 contributions
Oct 2018
Our driver recommended this site. Again it is very well kept and not too crowded. We were very fortunate to get a guide who had just qualified and offered her services at 300 rupees. Her knowledge was great and she was,able to educate us on this temple in excellent English. The highlight was the many views of the lotus flower in different stages of,development. Well,worth the visit . Great photography.
Written 11 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rohan D
Melbourne, Australia20 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
An amazing place, well worth the visit if you are near Mysuru south of Bengaluru. Certainly pay for a guide, there is usually someone near the entry of the temple who will offer for a small fee.
Written 11 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael A
Buenos Aires, Argentina1,962 contributions
Dec 2017 • Solo
The Chennakesava Temple is well worth a visit. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and the architecture is unique and interesting. As it was a holiday, entrance was free. Yet the temple was not crowded at all.
Written 21 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vitesh G
Mysuru (Mysore), India154 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Kesava Temple is 750 years old structure and not so popular destination around Mysore. But it is worth a place to visit to see the arts and architecture of our ancient culture. Beautiful carvings on stone depicting the different forms of Vishnu, stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata on the wall. Some figures of Kamasutra is also visible.
It is better to take a guide as the place is not worshipped and without a proper knowledge of history and sculpture, it will just be a pillars and some arts.
It is better to take a guide as the place is not worshipped and without a proper knowledge of history and sculpture, it will just be a pillars and some arts.
Written 22 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cómo ir en transporte público desde Mysore
Written 21 July 2018
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing