Somanathapura

Somanathapura is a town located 35 km from the historic Mysore city in Mysore district, Karnataka state, India. Somanathapura is famous for the Chennakesava Temple (also called Kesava or Keshava temple) built by Somanatha, a Dandanayaka (commander) in 1268 CE under Hoysala Empire King Narasimha III, when the Hoysalas were the major power in South India. The Keshava temple is one of the finest and most complete examples of Hoysala architecture and is also one of the best preserved Hoysala temples. The temple is a trikutachala (a three celled structure), with the three sanctums or shrines connected by a vestibule.The temple is in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected heritage site.