Somanathapura Keshava Temple – Rear View
Somanathapura Keshava Temple – Rear 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 west side, showing the outer wall and the shikhara of the west garbhagriha.
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
– Northwest View
– Southwest View
Related Pages
– Somanathapura Keshava Temple – A Masterpiece of Hoysala Temple Art
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Bracket Figures
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Navaranga
– Belur Chennakeshava Temple – Garbhagriha Exterior
– Kappe Chennigaraya Temple
– Badami Cave – 1, Badami Cave – 2, Badami Cave – 3, Badami Cave – 4
Copyright © 2019 by Lawrence Rodrigues. All rights reserved.