Temples In India

Karnataka Keshava Temple

Location	Noida Mor, New Delhi
Built by	BAPS, Pramukh Swami Maharaj
Built in	06-Nov-05
Managed by	Swaminarayan Sect
Inaugurated by	Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Manmohan Singh
Also known as	SwaminarayanAkshardham
Primary deity	Swaminarayan
Architectural styles	VastuShastra and PancharatraShastra
Attraction	Largest Temple complex in India
Must See	Intricate architecture & various shows

Somanathapura town in Mysore district in Karnataka houses the famous Keshava temple.

The temple depicts the architectural type that resembles the Hoysala monument in fact it is considered the last temple that displays the rich Hoysala architecture type. The temple has been dedicated to Lord Krishna and the Lord is worshipped in three different forms that are Janardhana, Keshava and Venugopala. During the current time the idol of Lord Keshava is missing from the temple complex and the idols of Lord Janardhan and Lord Venugopala have been damaged over the period of time. Despite of these drawbacks the temple is still worth a visit.

The temple has been considered to be built by the commander of Hoysala Army in Somanatha. The commander pursued the permission of Hoysala King Narasimha III to build the marvelous temple in his dynasty. On the approval the construction of the temple began and was finished around the 1268 AD. The old slab mounted in the temple inscribes the details about the construction of the temple.

The temple of Keshava is impressively striking. The fact today remains that the temple is no more a place to worship since the idols of the temple have been damaged over the period of time and also the other fact is that the temple has been defiled by the various raiding sultanates of the Muslims. Despite of all the damages caused to the temple it still remains a place that is visited by many visitors because of its rich artifacts and architectural designs and beautiful engravings.

The temple is located on the banks of the Cauvery River and is very close to the city of Mysore that is at a distance of just 38 kms. This temple is the most highly preserved temples that belonged to the Hoysala type of architecture.

Each corner is adored by the sculptures of deities who have been decorated with loud jewelry and have their arms and feet decorated with the bangles and anklets respectfully.

Architecture

The temple stands on an elevated podium that also has a pathway named Pradakshina. The astral kind of view of the temple also has three altars and Vimanas. The engravings of the different classics, statues of elephants and the different war scenes have been beautifully portrayed on the walls of the temple. The upper part of the walls has been decorated with the engravings of numerous goddesses. The ceilings of the temple have also been beautifully intricate.

The three altars that are part of the temple complex are that of the Vimanas and hence this gives other name to the temple that is Trikuta Temple. The northern direction of the altar adores the idol of Lord Janardhana while to the south is the idol of Lord Venugopala.

The temple complex consists of a gate and the verandah. The elevated platform on which the temple has been built is fortified by the sculptures of the seated lions. The entrance of the temple towards the east direction has a quad.

The temple interior has a total of sixteen ceilings where each of the ceilings is different in its architecture and the carvings done on each of the sixteen ceilings is different. The few of the engravings of the ceilings are that of a banana flower, the concentric circles that have been linked to each other thus forming a rib like structure. The shape of the ceiling looks very much like the outer part of the newly opened lotus flower and the shape of ceiling is octagonal shape.

How To Reach

By Rail

The nearest rail line is the Mysore railway station that is well connected to other cities and states in India.

By Air

The airport closest to reach the temple is in Bangalore that is at a distance of 140 km. Buses ply from the airport to reach Somanathapura to have a visit to the temple.

By Road

The state owned and private buses move on the regular intervals from Mysore to Somanathapura. Buses also ply from the other cities like Srirangapatna.

Weather And Best Time To Visit

The summers are moderately hot and the temperature ranges from 30 to 39 degree Celsius. Monsoon months are humid. The average temperature in winters is 27 degree Celsius.

The best time to visit the temple is from October to March.

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