I absolutely loved checking out Somanathapura Keshava Temple- which is not something I usually say about temples. This is one of my 8 favorite day trips from Mysore.
I know that the temple is the main attraction here, but even more so, I loved just walking through the small walkways between homes in this village. We did do a temple tour and for the first time I actually enjoyed it.
Normally when I visit a temple I look around confused and leave. Because I was on a tour with goMowgli I actually learned what the temple sculpting meant. First time on a tour, first time learning about a temple, ha!
Somanathapura Keshava Temple
This place was incredibly interesting as some of the art told the story of evolution, while actually telling of Vishnu’s reincarnations (although I’m pretty sure a very devout Hindu would not see Vishnu’s reincarnations as evolution, and I don’t mean to offend anyone, but found it interesting how they mirrored one another).
The Hoysala used to run all of South India back in the day and built lots of places just like this. This one is one of the most conserved and is a heritage site.
You can see an the noses have been cut off by Muslim invaders who knew that Hindus couldn’t worship a broken idol. I personally loved the piece where Brahma’s wife has her foot on a stone which is being held up by an elephant trunk.
The columns inside where made by elephants walking in circles.
noses missing, columns made by elephants
do you see the elephant working very hard to keep that pillar up under her foot?
TIP: one of the perks of being with goMowgli were cool surprises. Here they pulled out some postcards and took me to this tiny post office to mail them out! I sent three.
We walked through the old streets and I got some amazing photos on the way. I even got invited into a class room and met some cute little kiddos.
photo edited to hide my parents address ;)
Practical information: this is 35 km from Mysore and is accessible by local bus, or as I went through the tour company goMowgli. This is one of many places I recommend as day trips from Mysore.
Did you enjoy this post? Let me know in the comments or by sharing it with the social media links! I’d love to keep giving you travel tricks & tips so feel free to subscribe by e-mail in the big purple box below. Don’t forget you can follow me on facebook, twitter, instagram & bloglovin‘.
The temple looks lovely! I also don’t usually do tours but I agree- it does mean you can miss out on some of the info at temples and done historical sights. I do like the statue with the elephant!
Yeah it’s nice to mix in a guide every once it a while . If I did it everytime it would be over kill.
You have an awesome blog!! I am from goa and I absolutely love everything that you have written about it.. Regarding this article, it is as amazing as the others that you have written. This temple has similar architecture to the temples in belur and halebid which are a days trip from bangalore and they were built by the Kings of hoysala (explaining the similar architecture) and the government registered tour guides there are really good giving some great information.. Hope you visit those sometime as well :)
Thanks for the kind words Richa. I have been to belur and halebid and will be writing about it soon :)
I am obsessed with temples. I guess that’s a side effect of being an anthropology major in college! But I’m always too cheap to hire a tour guide when I visit places like this. It’s nice that you were able to take a tour to understand this temple’s history. It looks absolutely amazing!!
I didn’t realize you were anthropology major, that’s really cool. I always loved that class.
Wow! Man, I’d be so taken with that temple–I love reading about them, looking at pictures–LOVE the architecture and history. I’d be the one the tour is always telling to hurry up because I’m trying to get detail shots. ;) I’d be like, “I’m not the one at fault, you’re going too fast! Look at all these details you missed!” Then of course, the guide would probably reply, “Yes, of course, but the point is to get out before the sun sets, so LET’S GO.” Haha!
hahah! I was just the same way, trying to get some nice shots
Have never understood the postcard addiction among foreign travelers
thought a few years in India would change you :-P
haha, they are so fun!
Wow! Loved this post! Especially the last ‘postcard’ picture and the kids. :-)
Thanks chica!
Weeeeeee those kids are soooo cute!! And the temple is lovely too – so intricate!
As usual a great article. “as some of the art told the story of evolution,” Can you elaborate how did the art presented there describes evolution. It will be interesting to know.
Well it’s Vishnu’s reincarnations which I won’t name all of, but they mirror evolution from start to finish
Quitting your job to travel is a bold venture. Well I’m planning to do that before I get one ;) I’m glad that the country and it’s never failing charm has lifted your spirits. Travel safe and create memories every day.
Thanks :)
Rachel, you have beautifully capture the temple of Somanathapura. Mysore is one of my favorite places. I can see that you had an amazing trip, i enjoyed reading all about it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you :)