Somanathapura Keshava Temple – Northwest Side View
Somanathapura Keshava Temple – Northwest Side View
Dedicated to Vishnu, the Somanathapura Keshava Temple is an east-facing temple with three garbhagrihas (inner sanctums), each facing one of the other three cardinal directions and crowned by a beautifully carved shikhara (tower). The image shows a view of the temple from the north west side, showing the outer wall and the shikharas of the north and west garbhagrihas.
Standing inside each garbhagriha is an idol depicting a manifestation of Vishnu. The sculptural reliefs on the outer walls depict a variety of Hindu gods and scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Puranas.
The Somanathapura Chennakeshava Temple is a shining example of Hoysala architecture. While not as big and famous, it is as stunningly beautiful and intricately carved as the Hoysala temples in Belur and Halebidu. It is an unusual temple in that it was commissioned not by a king, but by a Dandanayaka (military leader) serving in the court of Hoysala King Narasimha III. It took 68 years to build and was completed in 1258 CE.
Other views of the temple
– Front View
– Rear View
– Southwest View
Related Pages
Hoysala Temples
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Outer Wall
– Kappe Chennigaraya Shrine
Badami Chalukya Temples
– Badami, Cave – 1, Cave – 2, Cave – 3, Cave – 4
– Durga Temple at Aihole
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