My trips are always based on monuments and to know about our rich culture and heritage which was left behind those who ruled during that period. I was staying at Mysore, Karnataka on official duty when I came across a heritage site near to Mysore. So I thought of immediately visitng to know the past of a kingdom who ruled in Karnataka and their architecture. This monument is situated at Somanathapura, near Bannur is about 35 kms from Mysore. The Hoysala kingdom ruled during 1006 to 1346 who promoted literatue and art and built temples which had a distinct touch with carvings and sculptures of hindu gods and depicting the great epics of hindu religion. The temples has a distinct shape as is evident when you visit these monuments. Most of these are today in ruins and was taken over by Archaeological Society of India and was marked as a protected monument and comes under UNESCO world heritage site.
Chennakeshava Temple Somanathapura
These temples have a distinct shape of a star. The Hoysala kings had an emblem also which is depicted in all their monuments.
Sala fighting the tiger
The ASI has done a good job by celaring the area and creating an ambience for making it a tourist spot. The entire area outside the monument is provided with lawns, huge trees and gardens. The footpaths are also provided for the tourists which is similar to their protected sites.
The entire monument is full of carvings and idols of hindu gods. I shall post various pics which will give an indepth view of the monument.
Inside the temple
The monument is a feast to person interested in sculpture and architecture. Each outer wall has intricate carvings and one has to take time to study each carvings.
As a visitor, I shall narrate the difficulties faced by me and what one should expect while planning a visit to this site.
This site is near Bannur and can be accessed from Mysore. The distance is around 35 kms.
There are no good restaurants in and around Somanathapura and one may take some snacks and light food before planning the visit.
One can also visit the site from Bangalore by taking an early bus or drive ones own vehicle and can have morning breakfast on the way at Adyar Bhavan or Kamat Uphar hotel at Channapatna and take a deviation before reaching Mysore and head directly to Somanathapura.
These ruins are worth visiting and one may consider it in ones list and may be used as a first step before making a visit to Belur and Halebidu.
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