Karnataka Temples

Udupi Krishna Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

February 1, 2024, Sasidhar Darla 8 Comments Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Krishna Temples, Mukti Sthala

Udupi Krishna Temple (one of the Seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka), dedicated to Lord Krishna is in the town of Udupi, Karnataka. The temple complex is also a Matha where the priests live and perform their daily duties. Vaishnavite Saint Madhwacharya, somewhere during the 13th century constructed the temple.

What are the timings of Udupi Krishna Temple?

Udupi Krishna temple can be visited from 5 am till 11 am in the morning and then from 5 pm till 9 pm. However, the timings change during festivals and other special occasions. Here are the timings of Udupi Krishna Temple:

Ritual	Timings
Temple opening hours	4:30 am
Nirmalya Visarjana Puja	4:50 am
Ushakala Puja	6 am
Akshya patra-Gopuja	6:15 am
Vishwaroopa Darshana	6:20 am
Panchamritabhisheka	6:30 am
Udvartana Puja	7:00 am
Kalasha Puja	7:30 am
Teertha Puja	7:40 am
Alankara Puja	8:30 am
Avasara Sanakadi Puja	10:30 am
Mahapuja	11:00 am
Chamara Seva	7:00 pm
Ratripuja	7:30 pm
Rangapuja	7:40 pm
Utsava	8:00 pm
Thottilu Puja	8:30 pm
Kolalu Seva	8:40 pm
Ekanta Seva	8:50 pm

Food being served at Udupi Krishna Temple

What is the significance of Udupi Krishna Temple?

The significance of Udupi Krishna Temple is that it is one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka. The other six are Kollur, Subramanya, Kumbhashi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana, and Gokarna. These places are together the Parashurama Kshetras. Devotees believe that these Temples were built on land of Parashurama from the sea.

The actual darshan of the Lord is through a grilled window known as the Navagraha Kitiki or as the Kanakana Kindi (Kanaka’s window). The window has nine squares, each dedicated to the nine planets. Also, the window is covered on all sides with silver plating with carvings depicting the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu.

The main idol of Lord Krishna shows him as a small boy holding a churning rod on the right hand and rope on the left hand. This representation of Lord Krishna can be seen nowhere in India but Udupi.

LORD KRISHNA OF UDUPI

The murti of Lord Krishna is unique and vibrant

The lamps that are kept near the main idol of Lord Krishna were first lighted by Sri Madhawacharya in the 13th century and are still kept burning.

The idols of Lord Mukhyapradana (Anjaneya or Hanuman) and Garuda kept in the Udupi Krishna Temple in their respective shrines were brought here from Ayodhya and installed.

It is believed that Chandra (The Moon God) did penance in Udupi to release him from the curse of Daksha Prajapati. Lord Shiva was impressed by his devotion and relieved him of the curse of Daksha.

A small shrine for Goddess Bhagirathi (Ganga) is in the southwest corner of the Madhava Sarovar. When the young Madhwacharya could not visit Badrinath, River Ganga herself flowed south to the Temple and gave him a darshan. A white stream of water emerged from the South West corner. Therefore a shrine of River Ganga was eventually built.

It is not closed in the afternoon. The holy trip to Udupi Krishna Temple is complete after visiting the Anatheshwara Temple and the Chandramouleeshwara temple before visiting the Udupi Krishna Temple. Aarti and Archana items are available in shops near the main entrance.

Devotees worship the idol of Lord Krishna in the form of a small boy. They believe that Saint Madhwacharya anointed his eight disciples to take care of the functioning of the Temple and to propagate his philosophy and studies.

These eight disciples created their own Matha and presently rotate their responsibilities every two years. The eight Mathas that run the Temple Administration are Palimar Mutt, Krishna Mutt, Kaniyour Mutt, Sode Mutt, Puttige Mutt, Admar Mutt, Shirur Mutt, and Pejawar Mutt.

The Udupi Krishna Temple complex resembles an Ashram with a huge Tank or Sarovar popular as the Madhav Sarovar. The main temple has a Mandap and the Garbhagriha. The main door of the sanctum is not open and visitors can view God only trough a meshed window that contains figures of Avatars of Lord Vishnu. Smaller shrines for Lord Hanuman famous here as Lord Mukhyaprana, Garuda and to Saint Madhwacharya are also there.

What is the history of Udupi Krishna Temple?

According to history, a popular legend is associated with Udupi Krishna Temple. An ardent devotee of Lord Krishna by the name of Kanaka Dasa arrived in Udupi in the early 16th century. As per ancient scriptures, Udupi was popular as Sivalli or as Rajathapeetapuram.

The place was pious even before the construction of the Krishna Temple due to the existence of the Anantheshwara Temple and the Chandramouleeshwara Temple.

The story of how the Udupi Krishna Temple came into existence is a very interesting one. There is a description of the events in the Madhava Vijaya, a biography of the Saint Madhwacharya and in a seventeenth century work by Sri Raghuvarya Thirtha.

As per Sri Raghuvarya Thirtha, Lord Krishna’s birth mother Devaki often complained to the Lord about being unable to witness the childhood of her beloved son Krishna. She wished that Lord make her happy and fortunate like mother Yashoda. Lord Krishna assumed the form of a small boy and played with Devaki. When churning butter, Krishna broke the churn and ate the lumps of butter.

He also snatched the churning rope from Devaki and started playing with it. Rukmini Devi, Wife of Krishna wanted to preserve the memory and had an idol made depicting Lord Krishna holding a churning rod and rope. She worshiped the idol regularly. After Lord Krishna departed to heaven, Arjuna moved the idol to Rukminivana and worshiped it with Chandana. With passage of time, a thick layer of clay deposited on the idol until the merchants boarded it into a vessel mistaking it for a ballast.

What is the dress code for Udupi Krishna Temple?

The male devotees should not wear shirts and vests inside the Udupi Krishna Temple complex. Also, they should avoid short pants and the Bermudas. We also request female devotees to dress traditional ethnic wear.

What are the poojas and rituals performed at Udupi Krishna Temple?

A sequence of fourteen Poojas is performed for the deity every day. They are:

Nirmalya Visarjana

The priest performs the Pooja at 5:30 AM every morning. In addition, he removes the decorations, ornaments, apparels and flowers offered to the God on the previous day. Then he bathes the idol. Finally he offers Naivedyam made from Tulasi, Bengal gram, Curd, Puffed Rice, jaggery, Ginger and coconut, Betel leaves and Ghee.

Ushakala Pooja

First of all the priest performs the Abhishekam of the deity at 6 am with the holy water stored in silver vessels. Then he conducts Eight Aartis and offers Sandal paste, Tulasi, Rice, Milk, Curd, coconut, Banana, and Betel Leaves.

Akshaya Patra and co – Pooja

The priest performs the Seva at 6:15 AM. He then worships a cow selected from the Cowshed. Then he distributes Rice and Jaggery to the cows.

Panchamrita Pooja

The Pooja starts at 6:30 AM. Both the idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana are worshiped with the Panchamrit. After removing the sandal paste and flowers, in the Surya Saale of the Temple, the priest showers the idol with Gold coins. Then he bathes Lord Krishna with Ghee, Milk, Honey, Curd and Sugar. Finally, he offers 32 tender coconuts to the deity along with the Bananas.

Udvartana Pooja

The Pooja starts at 7 AM. The priest bathes the idol in perfumed water. Then, he offers tender coconuts, milk and butter and finally raises the Aarti.

Kalasha Pooja

The ritual occurs at 7:30 AM. The priest keeps gold Kalasas in front of the idol and performs pooja. Then, he offers cooked rice to the God which he later offers to Garuda. After the offering, the priest disperses the cooked rice into the Madhava Sarovar as feed for the Fishes.

Theertha Pooja

The Pooja takes place at 7:40 AM. First of all, the priest uses the holy water from the gold vessel for the main Abhishek. Then he dries the idol with a clean piece of cloth and decorates it with Tulasi garlands, flowers, and Sandal paste. Finally, he gives the holy water from this Abhishek as Theertham to the devotees. Hence this puja is known as The Theertha Pooja.

Alankara Pooja

The Pooja takes place at 8:30 AM. The priest decorates the idol with Gold ornaments and Silk clothing. Then he offers Tulasi garlands to the God. Finally he offers Rice, Sweets, Milk, Curds, Coconuts, Bananas and Betel leaves to the God amidst the singing of hymns and songs by the Matha musicians.

Avasara Pooja

The priest performs an Aarti to the God after offering Rice and Coconuts. This Pooja happens at 10:30 AM.

Maha Pooja

This Pooja is the most important Pooja of the day and the head of the Matha himself performs it at 11 AM. He offers rice, Tulasi, and sandal paste to the God amidst the chantings of Vishnu Ssahasranama, Krishna Stotra, and Brahma Stotra.

The Naivedya articles such as pots of cooked rice, sweets, and eatables, payasam, panchakajjaya, coconuts, plantains, betel leaves etc. are placed before the God. The priest comes out of the Sanctum and closes the door. Devotees believe that Madhwacharya himself makes the offerings to the God. After some time, the priests return and perform Aartis. Finally after firing two country Guns, signaling the occurrence of the Pooja, the people of the Town begin eating their meal.

Sri Mukhyaprana Pooja

The Naivedyams offered to Sri Krishna during the Maha puja are offered again to Sri Mukhyaprana. The Priest then performs the Aarti.

Sri Madhwacharya Pooja

The same Naivedyam is then offered to Sri Madhwacharya.

Simhasana Pooja

The Simhasana is offered the Naivedyam.

Pradakshina Namaskara

The priest goes around the idol four times and then proceeds to the Madhav Sarovar where he worships Goddess Bhagirathi. He dispers the offerings in the Sarovar. Then he proceeds to the Vrindavana and then to the Cowshed where he feeds the Cows. Afterwards he returns to the Simhasana where he distributes the Theertham to other priests and devotees. Finally he proceeds to the dining hall.

Chamara Seva

This Pooja takes place at 7 PM. Pooja is offered to sacred books and the Vigraha. Kirtans and bhajans are sung by the Udupi Krishna Temple musicians. Two huge baskets of puffed rice and Jaggery are offered to the God and an Aarti is raised.

Ratri Pooja

The usual Naivedyam consisting of pots of cooked rice, ghee, jaggery, tender coconut and milk is offered. Aarti is raised on this occasion as the music and chanting of hymns continues. This Pooja occurs at 7:30 PM.

Ranga Pooja

This service to God happens at 7:40 PM. The priest spreads four pots of Panchakajjaya on Banana leaves in a line in front of Sri Mukyaprana. Then he lights rows of lamps on either side and performs an Aarti. The devotees take the Utsava Murthi around the Matha and make offerings. The also recite songs and kirtans.

Ekantha Seva

This Pooja happens at 8:50 PM. The Utsava murti is laid down on a golden cradle. Aarti is raised and lullabies are sung. The blowing of a Conch indicates the end of rituals for the day.

Besides these daily rituals, as a devotee, a number of Sevas can be offered to the God. Some of them are Akhanda Saptotsava, Laksha Deepotsava, Maha Puja Rathotsava, Sarva Seva, Annadanam, Ksheera Abhishek, Nanda Deepa, Godaana, Sahasranamarchana, Ashtotta Archana, Karpoora Mangal Aarti and Vaayustuti Parayana.

What are the festivals celebrated at the Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Udupi Krishna Temple are:

The Saptosava

Devotees celebrate the unique festival in the Udupi Krishna Temple in a grand manner for a period of seven days. The festival begins five days before the Makara Sankranama or Makara Sankranthi in January. During the first five days of the festival, they place the idols of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana on the Garuda ratha and idols of Lord Anantheshwara and Chandreshwara on the Mahapuja ratha. Then they take the two Rathas around the town.

Rathotsava

Ratho Utsava beiing celebrated at Udupi Krishna Temple

With great gallore and glory, the Rathoutsava gets celebrated at Udupi

On the day of Makara Sankranthi, the sixth day, the priests place Utsava Murthis of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana in a golden palanquin and take them to the Madhava Sarovar. There they place them in a decorated float and take them around the Sarovar. This Utsava is the Teppotsava. Devotees believe that Sri Madhwacharya installed the idol of Lord Krishna in the sanctum on the day of Makara Sankranthi.

Afterwards the priests take the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Mukhyaprana, Lord Anantheshwara and Lord Chandreshwara to the three chariots. Then they place the idol of Lord Krishna on the main beautifully decorated Brahma Ratha. They place the idol of Lord Mukhyaprana in the Garuda Ratha and the idols of Chandreshwara and Anantheshwara in the Mahapuja Ratha.

Thousands of devotees pull the three chariots chanting the names of the Lord. After the Rathas reach the Temple, the priests take the idols to the Vasantha Mahal where they place the God in a cradle and perform the Pooja for him. After the Poojas, they take the idols to the sanctum where the Flute Seva and Ekantha Seva takes place signaling the end of the day.

Churnotsava

On the last day, after the Mahapuja, the devotees bring Utsava Murthis of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprayana in a gold palanquin to the main chariot named Brahma Ratha. The priests perform Mangala Aarti for the Lords and then offers sweets and fruits.

One should observe that during this ritual; a Garuda always revolves around the chariot from above. Then the chariots go around the Ratha street and then to the Madhava Sarovar. After that, the priests bathe the Lord. Then all the priests and people take a dip in the Sarovar. The unique feature is that the priests offer flowers smeared with a gold paste to the Lord and then disperse them into the crowd. Hence, the name of the occasion became Churnotsava.

Shri Krishna Jayanti

The auspicious day occurs in August – September. The devotees and the priests observe a complete fast for the entire day. On the next day morning, a large number of guests are fed with special offerings like milk sweets.

A clay image of Sri Krishna is taken around the town in a Ratha and the Handi ceremony is celebrated with great energy. Handi is the process of breaking clay pots that hang between buildings and poles. Devotees take out a parade in which people dress as animals, masked figures and entertain the crowd. Then they submerge the idol in the Madhava Sarovar signaling the end of the celebrations.

Mesha Sankranti

The Hindu New Year usually falls in the month of April. The festival is popular Vishu (Kerala), Puthandu (Tamil), Baisakhi (Punjab), and Bihu (Assam) and devotees celebrate it by taking out a Ratha Yatra of Lord Krishna and then doing a Pooja in a cradle.

Vasantotsava

The day marks the beginning of the spring season and usually celebrated in March – April. The special Pooja and Prasadam take place for two months during the period. A Ratha Yatra for the God takes place every night starting from the day of Akshaya Tritiya and ending on the Vaisakha Poornima in May.

Sri Madhava Navami

Devotees believe that this is the day on which Saint Madhwacharya disappeared from mortal sight. Special Poojas take place for the Saint at the Anathasana Temple. People also believe that he is still present as a holy spirit. The mass feeding of Brahmins, as well as recitation of the Madhwavijaya (biography of Madhwacharya), takes place.

Holi Kamadahana

The auspicious and festive day of Holi occurs in March. On this day, a procession of Lord Krishna starts from the Temple till Kadiyali and back. An effigy of Lord Kamadeva (God of Love) is burnt in accordance of the mythological tale where he sacrifices himself so that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati fall in love after the death of Goddess Sati, the first wife of Lord Shiva.

Devotees smear themselves with colored water and paste and revel in the festival. Devotees also believe that Holi was Lord Krishna’s favorite festival and they celebrate it with enthusiasm, especially in Mathura and Dwarka. (Learn more about Dwarka Somnath Tour Package)

Besides the above festivals devotees celebrate Ram Navami, Narasimha Jayanti, Bhagirathi Jayanti, Chaturmasa, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri, Deepavali, Subramanya Shashti, and Gurusamaradhana with great spiritual significance and fervor.

The Tulasi Vrindavana Festival – In the month of Karthik (November – December), the priest decorates and worships a sacred Tulasi plant and a lamp post in the North of the Temple by singing holy songs and recitals for a period of twelve days.

Janmasthami at Udupi Krishna Temple

How to reach Udupi Krishna Temple?

Here’s how to reach Udupi Krishna Temple:

Air – Nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport 59 km away from the town.
Train – Udupi is an important railway station in the Konkan Railway route. Trains are available from cities like Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Kohlapur, Trivandrum and Madgaon.
Road – KSRTC operated regular buses from Bengaluru, Mangalore, and Mysore.

Where to stay nearby?

The holy town of Udupi is bustling with small hotels and lodges that offer the devotees a decent option to stay overnight.

Hotel Sri Krishna Residency: This hotel is located in an area with shops 2 km from the 13th-century Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Hindu temple, 4 km from Udupi train station and 9 km from Padukare Beach along the Laccadive Sea.
Rukmini Residency: Located in a commercial area with shops as well as restaurants, this hotel is a 7-minute walk from the Udupi Anantheshwara Temple. It is only 3 km away from the train station.
Hotel Sriram Residency: This supremely furnished deluxe hotel is a 4-minute walk from Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Hindu temple and 8 km from Malpe Beach.

Where to eat nearby?

The Bhojana Saale in the northern part of the Udupi Krishna Temple is where the devotees are fed. One can eat the Prasadam served at the Temple kitchen. Several restaurants serve delicious Udupi cuisine (mainly Idlis, Dosas, Vada, Sambhar) along with North Indian cuisine as well.

One can also find Non-vegetarian food, especially seafood in restaurants.

What are some temples nearby?

Some of the temples near Udupi Krishna Temple are:

Chandramouleeshwara Temple

The Temple is just opposite to the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. Some believe that this is the place where Chandra did his penance and Lord Shiva relieved him of the curse of Daksha which stated that Chandra will keep decreasing in size and eventually disappear. Lord Shiva gave a boon that he will decrease in size for 15 days and then increase for 15 days in a month. The Temple is for Lord Shiva.

Devotees also believe that the Linga changes color from black in the morning, blue at noon and white at night. Some also believe that one must visit the Chandramouleeshwara Temple and the Anantheshwara Temple before visiting the Krishna Temple.

Anatheshwara Temple

The Temple legend says that Sage Parashurama retrieved the land from the sea and made his devotee Ramabhoja as the King. During the plowing of the land to perform the Ashwamedha Yagna, he accidently killed a snake. To relieve the sin, he made a silver peetham known as Rajatha Peetham in Kannada with images of a snake carved on it.

Shri Janardhana Mahakali Temple

The Temple is in Ambalpay area in Udupi, about 3 km away from the Sri Krishna Temple. The presiding deity of the beautiful temple is Goddess Mahakali. Devotees also believe that she came down to Earth as a guardian for the town and eventually Janardhana Swamy followed her.

Batte Vinayaka Temple

The temple is one of the oldest temples in the district, constructed by the Barkur kingdom. The unique feature of the temple is that the idol of Lord Ganapathi is facing the North but leaning towards West.

Sri Mahishamardhini Temple

The Temple is in Kadiyali. The temple’s history dates back to around 1200 years. The idol of Mahishamardhini is in a standing posture with four arms. She holds the Prayaga chakra on one hand and the Shanka on the other. The idol also depicts her piercing the head of the demon Mahishasura.

Visit the Udupi Krishna Temple

This year if you wish to seek the holy blessings of the Lord Krishna, then visit his shrine to bring peace to your mind.

Halebidu Temples Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 11, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 3 Comments Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Halebidu is another landmark in the temple architectural history of Karnataka. Located at the Hassan District of the state, the name of the city means the ‘Old City.’ This city was the capital of the Hoysala Empire in the 12th century and hence is a treasure of architectural marvels. The most important shrines of the city are the Hoysaleswara temple and the Kedareswara Temple; both these temples represent the Hoysala style of architecture.

Located at the banks of a lake, the Halebidu Temple complex is beautiful and holy with its serene atmosphere and lush greenery all around. The temple complex is maintained perfectly and hence is neat and clean even in the rainy season. The Halebidu Temples are safeguarded by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Hoysaleswara temple is a UNESCO world heritage site while the Kedareswara Temple has been proposed to be recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site.

History and Legend of Halebidu

The Halebidu temples are witness to the glorious past of ancient India.

The Hoysaleswara temple was constructed by the Ketamala, the chief architect of that time, around 1121 AD.
The Hoysaleswara temple was dedicated to King Vishnuvardhana, the then ruler of Halebidu.
The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and Shantaleswara, named after King Vishnuvardhana Hoysala and Queen Shantala Devi.
The Kedareswara Temple was constructed around 1173- 1200 AD.
The Kedareswara Temple was constructed by King Veera Ballala II and Queen Ketaladevi.
The Kedareswara Temple is dedicated to an incarnation of Lord Shiva, Ishwara.
The three Jain basadis located within the Halebidu temple complex were constructed at different times. While the Adinatha Swamy was constructed during the 1138 AD, the Shantinatha Swamy Temple was constructed at 1192 AD and the Parshvanatha basadi was constructed in 1133 AD.
The Halebidu Temples were almost ruined by Muslim invasion; the city was invaded twice by Malik Kafur, during the 14th century
Halebidu was originally known as Dorasamudra or Dwarasamudra. It came to be known as Halebidu after it was looted by the Muslim rulers of Delhi, at 1311 and 1327 and the city was completely destroyed. The word Halebidu means a ruined city.

Significance of the Halebidu Temple

The Hoysaleswara Temple and the Kedareswara Temple are popular tourist destinations of Halebidu. These temples are known for the intricate carvings which portray the golden age of Hoysala rule. Every sculpture is different from the other; the granular details of the postures are amazing.

The Temple complex consists of two Hindu temples, Hoysaleswara temple and the Kedareswara Temple and a Jain basadi, which has three temples within it.
There is also an archaeological museum within the complex which helps you understand the importance of the sculptures and carvings of the shrines.
This archaeological museum was built in 1970 and consists of almost 1500 sculptures and inscriptions that have been recovered from the nearby places.
Besides an enclosed gallery, there is also an open air museum, which displays an 18 feet image of a Tirthankara, Lord Krishna and Shiva in Tandava posture, Nataraja, Goddess Saraswati and dancing Ganesha.
These temples are constructed with soapstone.
The walls of the Hoysaleswara temple are adorned with carvings of Hindu mythology, images of flora and fauna, dancers and shilabalikas.
The temple is guarded by two monolith sculptures of Nandi the vahana of Lord Shiva, on each side.
The Jain basadi of the temple complex also exhibit fine sculptures, depicting the rich traditions and believes of Jainism.
One of the Jain basadi is known as the Parshvanatha basadi. This basadi consists of a large sculpture of Lord Parshvanatha, which is 18 feet in height and made of black stone. A seven headed serpent over the head of the idol is considered to be guarding the deity.
The 12 pillars of the Parshvanatha basadi are exquisitely carved out of a rock.
The Lakshmi Narayana idol of Hoysaleswara temple is famous due to its perfect carvings.
The outer walls of the Hoysaleswara temple are adorned with sculptures of various deities of Hindu mythology.
The entrance of the Hoysaleswara temple is also adorned with sculptures of decked up elephants in a battling mood. This sculpture represents the way of entertainment of ancient India, where elephant fights were common.
The Kedareswara Temple represents the Trikutchala layout.
The Kedareswara Temple also consists of a life size sculpture of Nandi.
The Ganesha sculpture of the Kedareswara Temple is erected outside the Kedareswara temple, which seems to guard the temple of Lord Shiva.
The relief of Lord Vishnu at the Kedareswara temple is in a standing posture, flanked with images of goddesses on both sides.
The relief of Arjuna at the Kedareswara temple depicts excerpts from the great Indian epic, Mahabharata.
The Kedareswara temple also exhibits different avatars of Lord Vishnu, like the Varaha and Bamana avatar.

Halebidu Temple Timings

The Halebidu temple complex is open from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm. The best time to visit the temples is early morning.
It is suggested to visit the temple complex early morning as the weather is hot. There are experienced guides available at the complex who takes you back in the golden era of Hoysala kingdom when the shrines were constructed.
The Halebidu temple complex is open on all days of the week.
The best time to visit the Halebidu Temples is from November to March.

Halebidu Temple Food Timings

The Halebidu temple complex is now open just for sightseeing and regular Hindu worship and rituals do not take place. Hence the custom of serving food is not present.

Dress Code

There is no particular dress code at the Halebidu temple complex, but it is advised that most of the body part is covered. Cotton clothes are preferred due to the hot weather. Shoes have to be kept out before entering the temple complex.

Festivals celebrated at the Temple

No specific festivals are celebrated at the Halebidu temple complex.

Poojas and Rituals

The Halebidu temple complex is a heritage site and poojas and rituals are not performed here.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to the Halebidu Temple complex is the Mangalore airport. This airport lies at 185 km from the city of Halebidu. There are direct flights from Kozhikode, Mumbai and Bangalore to Mangalore. The international airport of Bangalore is another important airport near Halebidu. There are taxis and buses available outside the airport, which take the tourists directly to Halebidu temple complex.

By Train: The nearest railway station to Halebidu is the Hassan railway station, lying at 32 km from the city. You can avail direct trains from Birur, Shimoga, Mysore, Bangalore, Mangalore, Dharwad, Karwar and Hubli to Hassan. There are auto rickshaws, taxis and buses available from the railway station which take you to the Halebidu temple complex.

By Road: Halebidu is easily accessible by the road. It is directly connected with the capital city of the state, Bangalore, major cities of Mysore and Mangalore. Tourists can avail direct buses to Hassan district. Halebidu is located at 149 km from Mysore, 211 km from Bangalore, 34 km from Chikmagalur and 31 km from Hassan. Belur, another important tourist destination of Karnataka is near to Halebidu (just 15 km) and hence you can cover the distance in private taxis.

Regular buses ply from the important cities of Karnataka to Halebidu. There is a bus stoppage at the Halebidu temple complex. Taxis and auto rickshaws are the other local transport facilities available here.

Hotels: Where to stay

There are decent staying facilities available near the Halebidu temples. The Sumukha residency and Vishnu Regency are located at 15.4 km from the temple complex. Hoysala Village Resort, Stay Simple Riverdale, Hotel Mayura International are to name a few. These hotels provide both budget and premium accommodation to the tourists, along with basic amenities and food facilities.

Where to eat

Tourists can enjoy Indian, continental and Chinese cuisines at Halebidu. Some of the well known eat outs near the temple complex are the Club House at Planters Court, Hotel Gokul Veg, The Meridian and the Shantala.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Halebidu Temple complex, there are other temples which are worth a visit.

Chennakesava Temple: Located at Belur, this temple was built during the Hoysala rule. Dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple is known for its fine sculptures and intricate carvings.
Sri Veera Narayana Temple: Located at 12 km from Halebidu, this temple is another gem of Hoysala architecture. The temple is mythologically important as it is believed that Bheema, the second brother of the Pandava brothers of the Great Indian epic of Mahabharata defeated demon Bakasura. Built in the 13th century, this temple is dedicated to three incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Shravanabelagola: a popular Jain pilgrimage, this historical site is located at 50 km from the Hassan district. It is famous for the tallest monolithic statue, a Bahubali statue of 58 feet made of granite.
Chamundeswari Temple: Located at Mysore, the Chamundeswari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. With various sculptures and a glorious history, this is one of the most beautiful temples of the state.
Ranganathaswamy Temple: Situated at the Srirangapatna Island, this temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Within the massive temple complex of Ranganathaswamy Temple, there are precious relics exhibiting Hoysala and Vijaynagara architectural style.
The Mallikarjuna Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Parvati and is unique, being built by the Vijaynagara rulers using old materials.

Hence be at the Halebidu temple complex to witness the meticulous artwork that was created almost 900 years back. If tired, just rest your feet over the green grass, basking in the celestial atmosphere.

Hoysaleswara Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 7, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 1 Comment Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Shiva Temples

Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebeedu is another masterpiece of Indian temple architecture. Located at the banks of an enchanting lake, this temple is encircled with manicured gardens, while the atmosphere is serene. The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and exhibits Hoysala architectural style.

History and Legend of Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple of Halebeedu narrates the glorious history of ancient India and hence is a must-visit.

Temple was constructed in the 12^th century, within the time period of 1120 CE and 1150 CE.
Temple was built by the Hoysala ruler King Vishnuvardhana. It is believed that the temple was named Hoysaleswara Temple after Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara.
When the Hoysaleswara temple was built the place was known as Dwarasamudra.
Temple was ransacked twice by the Delhi sultans in the 14^th This led to the name of the city as Haldebeedu, which means the ruined city.
The construction of the Hoysaleswara temple was financed by the Shaivas (devotees of Lord Shiva).
It is believed that the Chennakesava Temple was built during this time and was a Vaishnava temple. The Hoysaleswara temple was constructed by the Shaivas as a competition to the Chennakesava Temple.

Significance of the Hoysaleswara Temple

Hoysaleswara temple is known for its exquisite architecture and is one of the important temples of South India.

Hoysaleswara temple is one of the largest temples of Lord Shiva in South India.
The temple structure of the Hoysaleswara temple is considered to be very complex due to the presence of projections and recesses.
While the exteriors of the temple are adorned with fine sculptures, the interiors of the temple are comparatively simple.
The temple complex has couple of temples within it; one is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and the other is dedicated to Shantaladevi, the queen of King Vishnuvardhana, who built the temple. The temples consist of Shiva Lingum.
There are other shrines within the temple complex, dedicated to other gods and goddesses. One of the shrines is dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has 7 feet tall statue of the Sun God along with a massive stone bull (Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Shiva).
Another marvel of the Hoysaleswara temple is the set of sculptures of Lord Ganesha. While the right part of the external wall of the temple starts with an image of a dancing Ganesha, there are almost 240 images of Lord Ganesha in different poses.
The four pillars which lie within the temple are characterized with images of Madanika, within brackets.
The Garuda Pillar is an important part of the temple. Garudas refer to the bodyguards of the monarchs and their queens. These inseparable guards used to commit suicide with the death of their master. This complete story is depicted at the Garuda Pillar, where the guards are seen cutting their heads with knives. There is also an inscription engraved over the pillar which commemorates the death of one such guard, Kuruva Lakshma, the bodyguard of Veera Ballala II.
The ceiling of the temple is also unique. Known as Sunakasi, this part of the temple is decorated with miniature roofs and attics which are in a ruined state.
The layout of the Hoysaleswara temple is also well defined and hence every sculpture is easily visible.
The museum within the temple complex is another important part of the site. This is a treasure house of the excavated sculptures, wooden handicrafts, maps and photos of the deities and the temples.

Hoysaleswara Temple Timings

Hoysaleswara Temple opens at 6:30 am and closes at 9:00 pm.
Tourists can visit any time of the year to the Hoysaleswara Temple.
The museum located at the temple premises is open only Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Hoysaleswara Temple Food Timings

Hoysaleswara Temple is open to tourists for sightseeing and the deities are not worshiped here. Hence there is no ritual of serving ‘Prasada.’

Dress Code of Hoysaleswara Temple

Tourists are suggested to be in long dresses to maintain the decorum of the temple. As the weather is hot here, hence light-colored dresses are preferred.
Shoes have to be kept outside the temple premises. There is a shoe keeper at the entrance where you can keep your shoes for a nominal rate.

Festivals celebrated here

Hoysaleswara Temple is visited by tourists for its spectacular architecture and festivals do not take place at its premises.

Poojas and Rituals at Hoysaleswara Temple

The deities of Hoysaleswara temple are not worshipped at present and hence no pooja or rituals take place here.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

The Hoysaleswara temple is easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The Mangalore airport is the nearest airport to the Hoysaleswara Temple, located almost 168 km from the temple. This domestic terminal is approximately 222 km from the international airport of Bangalore. Mangalore airport has direct flights from Chennai and Bangalore and is also well connected with the other airports of the country. There are direct taxis available from the airport to the temple.

By Train: The Hassan railway station is the nearest railway station to the temple. It is located approximately at 27 km from the temple, while the other nearby stations are the Mangalore and Mysore railway stations. If you are travelling from Kerala, then Thalassery and Kannur railway stations have direct trains to Hassan. This station is well connected with the other parts of the country. Dharwar, H Nizamuddin, Kannur, Karwar, Mysore, Shimoga Town, Talguppa and Yesvantpur Junction are some of the major railway stations from where there are trains to Hassan railway station. Smet Mysore Express, Mys Shimoga Express, Sharavati Express, Kannur Express and Dwr Mysore Express are the major trains that regular take you to the site. Tourists can also avail direct taxis, auto rickshaws and buses outside the station to the Hoysaleswara Temple.

By Road: There are regular buses and taxis available that can directly take the tourists to the temple. There are regular buses by KSRTC that ply between the major cities and Halebeedu. Private buses from the Majestic bus stand of Bangalore ply directly to Hoysaleswara temple. The temple is located at 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore. Tour the city of Halebeedu in auto rickshaws to get the local vibe.

Hotels in Halebeedu: Where to stay

Halebeedu is a hub of the rich heritage of Karnataka and hence several hotels have developed near the temple. These hotels not only provide decent accommodation to the tourists but also offer premium services, depending on the needs of the visitors. You can avail of both budget and deluxe accommodation at Halebeedu. Hotel Mayura Shantala, Sumukha Residency, Vishnu Regency are approximately 15 km from the temple, while the Hoysala Village Resort, Gateway Hotel, Stay Simple Riverdale, La Flora Pavanputra Resort and Spa are almost 24 km from the site.

Where to eat

Visitors can relish authentic South Indian food at the nearby hotels. There is a government hotel opposite the temple, just at 100 meters from the bus stand, where you can get both South Indian and North Indian food. This eats out is open from morning till 10 pm and is both cost-effective and hygienic. Customers can choose to eat at the patio or at the garden. Shankar hotel is another popular food joint at Halebeedu, which is open from 7 am to 9.30 pm and serves South Indian food. Tourists can also relish non-vegetarian dishes like chicken and fish curry at a nearby restaurant, located beside the Canara Bank.

Nearby Temples

The Halebeedu temple complex consists of some of the most famous temples of Karnataka.

Kedareswara Temple: This temple lies at 400 meters from the Hoysaleswara temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in 12th The temple architecture is amazing with a star-shaped layout and intricately designed sculptures, portraying incidents from the great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Jain Basadi: Halebeedu is a popular Jain pilgrimage. The Jain Basadi is located at 1 km from the Hoysaleswara Temple. There are three Jain temples in this complex, namely, Parshwanath Swamy Temple, Adinatha Swamy Temple, and Shantinatha Swamy Temple. These temples are a treasure of exquisite carvings, like a black stone sculpture of Parshwanath Temple with a serpent carved head, which seems to protect the deity.
Shravanabelagola: Located at 50 kilometers from Hassan district, this South Indian pilgrimage is known for its Jain temple. The site is famous for its 58 feet high, granite Bahubali statue. There are several temples located at the twin hills of the place, Vindhyagiri, and Chandragiri, like the Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, Siddhara Basadi and Chennana Basadi.
Belur: Another temple town of Karnataka, Belur lies at 40 km from the Hoysaleswara Temple. The city is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The walls of this shrine are adorned with perfect carvings of gods, goddesses, mythological figures and scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Upanishad.
Lakshmi Devi Temple: Located at Doddagaddavalli, this temple is just 16 km from the Hoysaleswara temple. This is one of the oldest temples built during the rule of the Hoysalas. This soapstone temple stores some precious Kannada inscriptions, well-defined sculptures of Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairava and Bhoothnatha, Goddess Kali and Lord Vishnu.

Hence be at Hoysaleswara temple to feel proud of the rich heritage of India. Not only the temple is beautiful with its fine sculptures, these perfect carvings also take you back in the golden days, narrating the incidents from the golden times.

Chamundeshwari Temple Mysore Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

September 15, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 2 Comments Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Devi Temples, Shakti Peetha

Chamundeshwari Temple of Mysore is a landmark of the temple architecture of Karnataka. You can get a sight of the Chamundeshwari Temple from a distance as the Chamunda hills rise to a height of 3489 feet. Located in close proximity to the Mysore Palace, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, also known as Goddess Durga. Goddess Chamundeshwari, the fierce incarnation of Shakti is the deity of the Mysore kings for hundreds of years.

The Chamundeshwari Temple is considered one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas and is known by the name of Krouncha Pitham; Shakti Peethas refer to the sites on which the body parts of Goddess Sati fell when Lord Shiva was carrying her and wandering through different places in deep morose. It is believed that the hair of Goddess Sati fell at the site where the Chamundeshwari Temple has been constructed. It is named after the name of the place; the site was known as Krouncha Puri during the Puranic times. The deity is seated on a lion with a trident in her hand, which is pierced into the demon Mahisasura. The buffalo lies in the body of the asur.

The Chamundeshwari Temple was built during the Hoysala rule in the 12^th century. The temple is enormous and there are 1000 steps to reach the hilltop to the temple. The Chamundeshwari Temple comes with a seven-storied Gopura. The interiors of the sanctum are spectacular with numerous intricate carvings. While the statue of Goddess Chamundeshwari is said to be made of gold, the entrance gates are made of silver. The Chamundeshwari Temple is a quadrangle structure, built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple can be segregated into different parts, like the doorways, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa and Prakara. The Gopura consists of a small tower, known as Vimana while the Shikaras come with glittering golden Kalashas. The inside of the entrances of the Chamundeshwari Temple is adorned with images of Lord Ganesha, while the images of Dwarpalakas, that is, doorkeepers seem to guard the goddess.

There is also a Kalbhairab temple within the temple complex, dedicated to Kalbhairab, another incarnation of Lord Shiva. The Kalbhairab temple also features a huge granite statue of Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Shiva. With a height of 15 feet and length of 24 feet, this idol is adorned with bells.

History and Legend of Chamundeshwari Temple

The temple is the oldest temple in the hills of Mysore. It is not only a bearer of the rich cultural history of South India but also has several myths revolving around its foundation.

It is believed that demon Mahisasura tortured the people of Mysore and hence the goddess rose to her power to destroy the evil forces and relieve the people.
The temple had been built almost 1000 years ago and was the home deity of the monarchs of Wodeyars.
The place where the temple is located was known as Trimuta Kshetra, meaning a place surrounded by eight hills. The Chamunda Hill lies at the western part of the group. It is believed that Lord Shiva used to reside at the Mahabaleshwar temple and hence this hill was named as Mahabaladri.
The deity of Devi Chamundeshwari is in a seated posture with eight shoulders, known as Ashta Bhujas. This deity is considered to be very old, being established by sage Markandeya.
It is believed that when Krishnaraja Wodeyar III was blessed by the Goddess Chamunda, he decided to build the beautiful Gopura in 1827 AD. He also gifted a Simha Vahana, that is, the vehicle of the goddess along with other animal vehicles to the temple.
The proof that the temple was revamped by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III lies within the temple complex. There is a large 6 feet statue of the king in religious apparel along with his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa and Krishnavilasa within the shrine.

Significance of the Chamundeshwari Temple

Being one of the oldest shrines of Mysore, the Temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. Chamundeshwari Temple holds a significant place in the religious facet of Karnataka.

It is believed that Goddess Chamunda, the slyer of demon Mahisarsura and Chanda, Munda fulfills all the wishes of the devotees.
The route to the Chamundeshwari Temple is through dense jungles and hence, visitors can view breathtaking natural beauty and is a great bird watching area.
Visitors can get a panoramic view of Mysore from the Chamunda hilltop. The Mysore Palace looks imposing when lit with lights during the festive season of Dusshera from the hilltop.
The statue of Mahisasura near the Chamundeshwari Temple is an amazing piece of architecture.
The Chamundeshwari Temple is also important due to the small footprints of the goddess that is found within it, along with a flagstaff.
The rare images of Anjaneya, Nandini, and Kamalini also enhance the importance of the Chamundeshwari Temple.

Chamundeshwari Temple Timings

A strict schedule is followed at the Temple for worship and offerings.

Time for visiting Devi Chamundeshwari is from 7.30 am to 2 pm in the morning, again from 3.30 pm to 6 pm in the afternoon and again from 7.30 pm to 9 pm in the evening.
Abhisheka Timings are from 6 am to 7.30 am in the morning and again from 6 pm to 7.30 pm in the evening on all days except Fridays. On Fridays, the timing is from 5 am to 6.30 am.

Chamundeshwari Temple Food Timings

Free meals are served at the Temple and the meal is known as Dasoha.
After worshipping the goddess, laddu is offered to the devotees. Cleaning drinking water is also available for visitors.
Plastic bags are not allowed within the temple complex to keep the hill areas and the waters clean.

Festivals celebrated at the Chamundeshwari Temple

Temple is one of the important shrines of Mysore and hence are marked with major religious celebrations.

Navaratri Festival: Navaratri is celebrated to mark the success of the goddess in demolishing the demon and hence is an important affair. Devotees line up at the Chamundeshwari Temple to offer their prayers during the festival. This festival is also known as the Mysore Dasara festival.
Rathothsava Festival: 10 days after Dusshera, this festival takes place. On the auspicious day of the full moon, known as Ashwayuja Purnima, this car festival takes place. The deity of goddess Chamundeshwari is mounted on the vehicle. A representative of the royal family of Wodeyar draws the chariot in a symbolic manner following the rituals and then the vehicle along with the deity is taken around the Chamundeshwari Temple.
Theppothsava Festival: Thousands of devotees gather at the Chamundeshwari Temple to witness the pious celebration of Theppothsava, which means the floating festival. The festival takes place in the night and the deity of Devi Chamundeshwari is taken round the Devi Tank on a boat. As lights fall on the crystalline waters of the tank, a magical environment is created.

Poojas and Rituals at Chamundeshwari Temple

The worship of the goddess is a glamorous affair at the temple. Multiple priests are engaged in the worship of the deity. The royal family donates gifts to the temple to maintain the pomp and show of the shrine.
Coconuts, fruits, and fresh flowers are the popular ingredients in the worship of goddess Chamundeshwari.
Ashada Shukravara, that is, the first Friday of the Hindu lunar month is considered auspicious and devotees folk here to check out the special puja.
Devotees may also request for special sevas like homas, abhishekas, and utsavas by intimating the temple committee prior to two days.
Devotees can also offer saree to the goddess by 30 days prior intimation to the Chamundeshwari temple committee.

How to reach: Road, Rail, and Air

By Air: The nearest airport to the Chamundeshwari Temple is the Bangalore airport. You can get direct buses and taxis to Mysore from here.
By Train: The Mysore Junction is the nearest railway station to the Chamundeshwari Temple. You can get trains to the city from the other towns and there are auto-rickshaws, cabs, and buses available for your next part of the journey to the Chamundeshwari Temple.
By Road: Though located at an elevation, the Chamundeshwari Temple is connected with a proper motorable road. There is also a different route to the Chamundeshwari Temple through the Nanjangud side. There are buses available to the Chamundeshwari Temple from all parts of the Mysore city. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) plies buses to the temple every day with a time gap of 30 minutes from the City Bus Stand. You may also hire cabs to the temple; it is a 10-12 kilometers drive from the Mysore city.

Hotels in Mysore: Where to stay

The Chamundeshwari Temple committee maintains a guest house for the devotees. This 20 room guest house comes with decent amenities. Mysore is an important city of Karnataka and hence tourists can find both deluxe and budget hotels easily near the Chamundeshwari Temple. Radisson Blu Plaza, The Viceroy Comforts, Ginger Mysore, United 21 Mysore, Pai Vista, and Royal Orchid Metropole are to name a few.

Where to eat

There are several vegetarian restaurants around the Chamundeshwari Temple. From hot dosas to piping hot coffee, you can get both authentic South Indian and other types of dishes out here. Visitors can also enjoy pizzas at the nearby food joints. Vinayaka Mylari, The Foodie Restaurant, Hotel RRR Restaurant, Little Woods and Corner House are some of the popular restaurants near the Chamundeshwari Temple.

Nearby Temples

Mysore is known for its beautiful palaces and sacred shrines. Some of the other temples worth visiting the city are:

Narayanaswamy Temple: Located near the Chamundeshwari Temple is this temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Cheluva Narayana Swamy, also known as Tirunarayana. The inscriptions on the pillars of the shrine are invaluable.
Prasanna Krishnaswamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple houses 40 bronze statues of gods and goddesses. The murals which adorn the walls of the temple are jewels of the Mysore painting school.
Lakshmiramana Swamy Temple: Dedicated to Lord Nambinarayana, this ancient shrine has interesting facts revolving around it. The temple is also famous for its beautiful statues.
Mahabaleshwara Temple: Also located at the Chamundi Hills, this temple is in close proximity to the Chamundeshwari Temple. Dedicated to Mahabaladri, this temple is impressive with images of Sapta Matrikas, Nataraja, Parvathi, and Bhairava.

The Chamundi Village located near the temple is also an attraction of the place due to its unique lifestyle and simplicity.

Keshava Temple Somanathapura Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

July 8, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Karnataka Temples Tagged With: Krishna Temples

Keshava Temple Somanathapura is one of the most famous shrines of Karnataka, situated at the Mysore district. The holy Cauvery River passes by the small village of Somanathapura, while the lush greenery encircling the temple let prayers come deep from your heart at the serene environment.

As you enter the porch of the Keshava Temple Somanathapura, you are no more in modern India. The perfect carvings and well-defined sculptures take you back in time when South Indian temple architecture was at its peak. The Keshava Temple is one of the most well-preserved temples of the Hoysala reign.

History and Legend of Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The glorious history of Karnataka is treasured at the Keshava Temple.

The Hoysala Kingdom was one of the most prominent dynasties of South India. Their kingdom ranged from Karnataka, to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. South Indian art and architecture flourished during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty.
The Keshava Temple was constructed by General Somanatha of the Hoysala monarch, Narasimha III. The temple hence is also known as the Somanatha Temple.
The temple was built during the 1254 – 1291 AD. The inscriptions engraved on a slab outside the temple during 1269 – 1550 AD provide detailed information about the time of construction of the Keshava Temple.
It is believed that the Keshava Temple was the last major temple built by the Hoysala dynasty.
As per the information of Archaeological Survey of India, the original idol of Lord Keshava went missing and later it was replaced.
One of the myths state that the deities were removed from the temple by the Britishers and taken away.

Significance of the Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The Keshava Temple of Somanathapura is a must-visit for historians and tourists who wish to get back to the golden time of Indian architecture.

The Keshava Temple is an epitome of Hoysala architecture. Even the platform of the temple is unique in a star shaped layout. This layout is significant as it is believed that it was used for ‘pradakshina’ that is for circumambulation of the temple, a mandatory ritual of Hinduism and Buddhism.
The Keshava temple represents the Trikutchala form. There are three sanctums to the north, south and west of the temple. There are three antaralas and a navarang within the temple.
The Keshava temple is known for its fine carvings both at the interiors and exterior walls. Even the ceilings and the doors depict marvellous ornamentation.
The ceilings of the Keshava temple depict sixteen different types of Hoysala art and hence are no less than pieces of gems.
There is a relief sculpture of Narasimha on the outer wall of the Keshava Temple.
The images of Keshava, Venugopala and Janardhana adorn the ceiling of the sanctums and are surrounded by spectacular shikara images.
While the central sanctum is dedicated to Lord Keshava, the southern sanctum houses the deity of Lord Venugopala and the northern sanctum has the idol of Lord Janardhana.
Some of the fine sculptures found at the Keshava Temple are that of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati.
There are also images of mythological figures and demons within the temple, like that of Rati, Manmatha and Mahisasura.
The Keshava Temple was built within a massive enclosure over a raised platform. This shrine comes with sixty four cells.
The basement of the outer wall of the exhibits friezes of finely carved elephants, scrolls, scenes from Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and mythological stories, legends and folklores. All the events are sculpted in a clockwise direction, that is, in the direction of ‘pradakshina.’
Visitors can get a vivid picture of the religious beliefs of Hinduism as the images of gods and goddesses along with their vahanas remain frozen at the walls of the Keshava temple.
The presence of the line of elephants at the lowest course of the basement is symbolic as it presents that the elephants are carrying the burden of temple on their backs.
The battle field of the Hoysala times is depicted by the horse riding soldiers tampering the fallen warriors.
The daily life of ancient Karnataka
Another important fact about the Keshava temple is that you can get names of some of the sculptors engraved at the pedestals of the sculptures, like that of Mallithamma, Masanathamma, Chameya and Bhameya. From these details it can derived that Mallithamma is sculptor for most of the images and also have constructed the northern shikara of the Janardhana cell.
The seven feet tall stone slab which stores inscriptions in Kannada language related to the construction and upkeep of the Keshava Temple is also embellished with intricate cravings.
The rock windows of Keshava temple are amazing. While these rock cut windows provide ample amount of sunlight to enter the shrine, the lathe turned pillars characterise the Hoysala temples.
The entire temple is cloistered and it is believed that the numerous cells within the temple complex used to have idols of different deities of Hindu religion.
The southern colonnade consists of typical lathe tuned pillars while the northern colonnade is a mix of simple and lathe turned pillars. The western colonnade has just one lathe turned pillar and the rest are simple. This is just one asymmetrical flaw that is found in the planned complex of the Keshava Temple.
There is a red post box within the temple complex, attached to a large tree. If a visitor posts postcard in the box, it would be stamped with a unique Somanathapura stamp, which is one of its kind in the whole world.

Keshava Temple Somanathapura Timings

Keshava temple is open for visitors from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
It is advised to visit the temple during early morning hours as you need to walk throughout the temple bare footed.
Winters are the best time to visit the temple to avoid the scorching heat of the sun.
If you visit the temple just after the monsoons, you can also check out the enchanting beauty of the nearby Shivanasamudra waterfalls.

Keshava Temple Food Timings

As the Keshava Temple is just a sightseeing spot and is not functional at present, hence there is no arrangement of food or prasada at the temple.

Dress Code at Keshava Temple

Though there is no particular dress code to enter the Keshava Temple complex, there are restrictions related to footwear. Tourists need to keep their footwear outside the temple complex.

Festivals celebrated at the Keshava Temple

Keshava Temple bears the history of the 12^th century Hoysala kingdom and it is no more used for worship. Hence at present there are no festivals that take place at this temple complex.

Poojas and Rituals at Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The Keshava Temple is a major sightseeing place at Karnataka. Worship of the deities does not take place here and hence visitors have no scope to witness any rituals and pooja at this temple complex.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The Bangalore international airport is the nearest airport to Somanathapura.

By Train: the nearest railway station to the Keshava Temple is the Mysore rail head. You can get frequent trains from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi to Mysore. From Mysore railway station tourists can avail taxis to the Keshava Temple.

By Road: By road the Keshava temple is almost 2 hrs from Bangalore, lying at 180 km from the capital city. You can avail taxis to get to the site. The Maddur- Malavalli- Bannur- Somnathapura road is the best way to reach the Keshava Temple. Tourists travelling by road are advised to take the Malavalli road from Maddur, then a right turn from the Malavalli City Junction that goes towards Bannur. From the main junction at Bannur, a left turn takes the visitors to the temple.

Tourists can also opt for the Bangalore- Mysore road and take a diversion Srirangapatana bridge. The Keshava Temple is approximately 50 km from the district headquarters of Mysore. There are a number of private buses that ply between Mysore and Somnathapura, but it is advisable to visit the place via private cars as you have many sites to visit around the Keshava Temple.

Hotels in Somanathapura: Where to stay

Accommodation facilities are not available at Somanathapura. Tourists are suggested to stay at Bangalore or Mysore. United 21, Mysore, Regaalis Mysore, Hotel Dasaprakash, Mannars Residency, the Quorum, Royal Orchid Metropole are some of popular hotels located near the Keshava Temple. From budget to premium rooms, all types of rooms are available here.

Where to eat

There are no such restaurants near the Keshava temple. Tourists can have coffee, tea and cold drinks at a nearby canteen. Restaurants are available near T Narsipura. If you are travelling by road, you will also find some eateries on the Mysore road, serving authentic South Indian cuisines.

Nearby Temples

The district of Mysore is known for its quaint villages, each one treasuring a marvellous temple. Some of the nearby temples that you can check out on the way to the Keshava temple are:

Chennakesava Temple, Belur: One of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, the Chennakesava Temple is located near to the Keshava Temple. Life seems to be frozen in the stone sculptures of gods, goddesses and mythological figures of this shrine.
Nanjanagudu: Lying on the banks of River Kapila, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is historically important as it is believed that the Shiva Lingum of the temple was placed by the famous Rishi Gauthama and was also worshipped by Parashurama when he was on his journey to cleanse his sin of killing his mother.
Talkadu– Located at 25 km from Somanathapura, this place lies at the banks of River Cauvery. Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidyanatheswara is worshipped here. The place is also famous for its sand dunes. It is believed that several temples are still buried under the sand dunes. Some of the famous temples found here are the Pateleshwara Temple, Viadeyshwara Temple, Maruleshwara, Kritinarayana, Gourishankara and Anandeshwara Temples. An interesting fact is that the Shiva Lingum of Pateleshwara Temple changes colour; it is red in the morning, black in the afternoon and white in the evening.
Sri Rudra Devasthana, Vijayapura: This temple is known to fulfil the good desires of the devotees and numerous pilgrims visit the temple every year to attain salvation, wealth, cure diseases and gain knowledge. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Sri Varadaraja Temple, Hammige: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple comes with a rich history.
Tirumakudal Narasipura: Located at the Mysore district, this site is famous for Kumbhmela at South India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worshipped in the form of two Shiva Lingums, Someshwara and Markandeshwara.
Vishvanatha Temple, Krishnapura: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also consists of a chapel near it. Hence this quaint, ebony tree fringed village quietly preaches the message of unity among diversity. The place also has the Krishnapur Matha, one of the eight mathas established by Sri Madhavacharya, one of the famous Dvaita philosophers.
Ranganatha Temple, Sriranga Patna: Located at the Mysore district, this temple was built by the Ganga dynasty of the Vaishnavite cult. The temple showcases a blended architectural style of Hoysala and Vijaynagara temple designs.

Hence visit Keshava temple this vacation to witness how stone gained life in the expert hands of Indian artisans during the golden days of Indian architecture.