Somanathapura Temple, Mysore
On the banks of Holy waterway Kaveri is a small quiet town of Somanathapura. Here stands the finest and most praiseworthy landmark of Hoysala design known as the celebrated Prasanna Chennakesava Temple or basically the Kesava Temple. Blessed in the year 1258 CE, it is a Vaishnav Hindu Temple committed to might and magnificence of Lord Krishna (Chenna= Beautiful and Kesava= Krishna). Vacationers from close and far come to visit the sanctuary to get a perspective of the delightful place. The Chennakesava sanctuary is one of the 1500 Temples worked by the Hoysala Empire lords in various parts of their kingdom, and is said to be the peak advancement in Hoysala sanctuary style but is one of a kind in numerous different ways.
An exemplary case of the well known Hoysala engineering, and is one of the three sanctuaries of the kind to be assigned in the Unesco World Heritage list. Sadly, this sanctuary is never again utilized as a position of love on the grounds that the symbols have been broken and befouled by the attacking Muslim armed forces. Notwithstanding, the magnificence of the sanctuary still charms a huge number of guests who visit the site to witness the grand imaginative and building accomplishments of the period, to look for the Lord’s favoring and respect the sensitive carvings and figures, whose excellence is unequal and as one of a kind as the God that it houses.
History of Somanathapura Temple
Somanathapura, the town was established by a general named Somanatha Dandanayaka in the 13 century, while he was in the administration of Hoysala King Narasimha III. From that point onward, he looked for the lord’s consent and conceded grounds and assets to Brahmins to manufacture and keep up the sanctuaries in the town, Somanathapura (known after the name of the supporter). In the core of this new town, General Somanatha constructed the Kesava sanctuary and sanctified it in 1258 CE. Furthermore, a few other Hoysala style sanctuaries were additionally worked in the city however all these with the exception of the Lakshmi Narasimha sanctuary has vanished or are in ruins after the wars between the Hindu kingdoms and Muslim sultanates desolated the locale.
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As per engravings, the Chennakesava Temple additionally endured immense harm because of the war in the fourteenth century however was repaired a century later by the awards and monetary guide given by the Vijayanagara Empire rulers. The distinction in the shade of stones and nature of work in the verandah and a few sections of the northern pinnacle and stage of the primary sanctuary is the confirmation of these repairs. Indeed, the lovely sanctuary endured another episode of harm in the nineteenth century and was again repaired in the mid twentieth century by the provincial period Mysore government.
Design of Somanathapura Temple
This unpredictably cut and elegantly architectured sanctuary was worked in the 13 century on the banks of the excellent waterway Kaveri. One of a kind and delightful Hoysala engineering is one of the numerous highlights of the place that has made it well known all around the globe. The entire sanctuary complex, its entryways, mandap and engraving stones are cut out of soapstone that empowered the craftsmen to cut out the delightfully unpredictable work of art.
Outside
The Chennakesava Temple is encased in a walled yard that has the fancy principle door or Mahadwar. Outside this Mahadwar stands a tall column having a statue of the Garuda to finish everything, that was considered as Lord Vishnu’s vaahan (vehicle). The Garuda statue is currently absent. As one enters from the Mahadwar, an open patio, with the primary three-transcend sanctuary in the inside, comes into see. The dividers of the yard are outlines a rectangular verandah with a variety of 64 holy places.
Principle Temple
The principle sanctuary is based on a jagati, symbolizing a common stage, with the icon of Lord Vishnu to finish everything. It is around 3 feet high and is molded as a star with stairs for ascending on the east end. Close to the stairs are the holy places of two dwarpals (guards), which are presently harmed. Around the jagati is a tight pradakshina patha (circumambulation way). While doing the parikrama, one can read pictorial stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana legends in the right succession.
External Walls
The external dividers of the Somanathapura Temple have level patches of work of art cut into them isolated into three noteworthy segments. The most reduced segment exhibit a line of elephants, walking in the clockwise course. Over the elephants is a line of outfitted riders mounted on steeds or camels. The band encourage above speaks to blooms, products of the soil a few peacocks and untamed life. Another band above it is the folklore frieze delineates the legends and otherworldly catching stories found in the Ramayana, the Bhagavata Purana and Mahabharata. The upper level of the divider has almost 200 help cutting demonstrating the life of the general population. The greater part of them are ruined or harmed. Aside from that, there are different carvings of divinities, overwhelmingly Vishnu in his different angles and symbols.
Navranga
As one enters the wooden way to within the sanctuary, there is a Navranga with its typical nine squares as specified in old Hindu writings. There are three ankanas and jagali stages for the meeting enthusiasts to sit. The inside here and the Navranga recommends that the sanctuary was planned per Panchayatana puja design found in Smarta Hindu custom.
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Columns and Ceiling
The epic mandap corridor is upheld by different posts. The four focus columns depict normal life topics stacked in arrangement: plate, ringer, pot, haggle. The four focal square columns yakshas and sections that are either harmed or have vanished. Two different columns on the east are in the state of 32 pointed stars.
Engravings on Chennakesava Temple
The external dividers, the internal dividers, and the sanctuary complex is altogether secured with unpredictably cut legendary and religious iconography. They show different Hindu content, for example, Ramayan (southern segment), Mahabharata (northern segments) and Bhagwat Puran (Western area). Imperative authentic dates and conditions concerning the locale are additionally engraved in eight stones scattered over the sanctuary complex. The engravings affirm the building and repairs that experienced in the sanctuary crosswise over hundreds of years. Different engravings additionally convey with the names of the craftsman who cut the piece, column or fine art.
Chennakesava Temple Deity
The three sacred icons housed in the sanctuary, Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopal are for the most part names of Lord Krishna found in the Hindu content Bhagavad Gita. The Chennakesava itself signifies ‘great looking Krishna’ and indicates the physical and profound excellence of the Lord’s strength. Shockingly, the grandness of the icons here has been damaged by numerous military endeavor and fights with Muslim armed forces that occurred in the district.
Best time to visit Somanathapura Temple
The best time to visit the temple is during from October to March. During the rest of the year, the temperature in this part of the country is soaring high and is very humid, making the journey uncomfortable.
How to Reach Somanathapura Temple
Somanathapura is well connected via road from Mysore, Srirangapatna and Bangalore. You can take bus service from Mysore and Srirangapatna to Somanathapura or hire a private taxi from these cities to visit the temple. Parking facility is available outside of the complex. There is also a railway station in Somanathapura from where you can avail a local transport to take you to the Chennakesava Temple.
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