Somanathpur - Prasannahesava Devalaya

Yet there is another outstanding gem of a sculptured temple, lying at a distance of 45 km off Mysore, going by the name of Somanathpur. The shrine has many things in common with those of universally reputed Belur and Halebid temples of the Hoyasalas gift to the world. Though it partakes many artistic features of Belur temple, such a§ friezes around, bearing several representations of divinities, like Narasimha, Varaha, Venugopala, Brahma, Siva, Ganapathy, Surya, Manmatha, Lakshmi; it is a three-celled shrine typifying the Trikutachala -three peaked hill, a unique development found in the Hoyasala monuments built after Belur model. This three storied temple shares many enticing features with the other two.

The Prasanna Kesava temple was built by Somanatha, the grand son of Hoyasala Nardsimha II in 1269. As at Belur and Halebid, it stands on a high plinth, but with a difference - it has beautifully carved gigantic elephants at the corners, seem to be holding aloft the entire structure. The wall is embellished with more than 175 sculptural images similar to those of Belur and Halebid figures in finish, elegance and opulence. The temple is star-shaped and has high towers unlike its counterparts. Its superstructure comprises three pyramidal towers, surmounting the triple shrines modeled on those illustrious ones. And built later, they seem far surpassing the Belur and Halebid temple in everything. The presiding deity of the central cell is Prasanna Kesava, and those found on the north and south, the images of Janardhana and Gopala.

It lies 45 km off Mysore, the erst-while capital of Mysore state, accessible by bus.

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