SOMANATHAPUR - ART AND CULTURE
News: Plans
on the anvil to promote UNESCO site at Somanathapur as part of Mysuru tourism
circuit
What's in the news?
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The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Somanathapur will be the focus of the
Mysuru Tourism Circuit initiated by the Karnataka Tourism Department.
Somanathapur Temple:
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The Keshava Temple at
Somnathpur is a part of renowned Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala.
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The temple is dedicated to Lord ‘Keshava‘ (one of the names of Lord
Vishnu).
Constructed by:
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It was constructed under the patronage of King Narasimha III of the Hoysala dynasty around 1268 CE.
Architecture:
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The temple is constructed from soapstone,
which allows for the fine detailing seen in the carvings.
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It is built on a raised platform with an outer Pradakshina pathway,
allowing devotees to circum-ambulate the sanctum.
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The temple features a stellar
(star-shaped) plan, which creates multiple corners and niches, providing
numerous canvases for the sculptors to showcase their intricate work.
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The temple has three shrines, each crowned with a Vimana (tower).
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The Hoysala emblem, depicting
a warrior fighting a lion, is prominently displayed.
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The walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful friezes depicting
scenes from Hindu epics, figures of elephants, and battle scenes with cavalry.
World Heritage Sites:
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The Somanathapura Temple, along with other Hoysala temples such as the
Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebid, (called 'Sacred Ensembles of
the Hoysala') was granted UNESCO WHS in September 2023.
Go back to basics:
Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala:
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Sacred Ensembles of Hoysala were built in the 12th-13th century.
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They are represented here by the three components of Belur, Halebid and Somnathpur.
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The Hoysala temples have a basic
Darvidian morphology though they reflect other influences including that of
Central India’s Bhumija mode, northern
and western India’s Nagara traditions, and Karnata Dravida modes of the Kalyani
Chalukyas.
● The Hoysala architect made selections of features from other temple styles, which they further modified with their own particular innovations. This resulted in a new Hoysala Temple form.