What to expect
Highlights
- The star-shaped triple-shrine (trikuta) plan on a raised platform.
- Bands of intricate soapstone sculpture and friezes on the outer walls.
- Its UNESCO World Heritage Hoysala status (2023).
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
The Chennakeshava (Keshava) Temple at Somanathapura, consecrated in 1268 CE, is the last great temple of the Hoysala empire and one of its most complete. In 2023 it was inscribed, with Belur and Halebidu, as a UNESCO World Heritage "Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas" site.
Practical guide
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Before you go to Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
Entry rules not verified for this temple. Some Hindu temples admit only Hindus, and most enforce a dress code at the door. We have not verified the rule for this particular temple, so please check before you travel — especially if you are not Hindu or are visiting from outside India.
We report each site's own published rules neutrally, and only where we can source them.
Typetemple
Nearest baseSomanathapura
DistrictMysuru
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed1 to 1.5 hours
Places to visit2→Built on a star-shaped platform, its three shrines (trikuta) and outer walls carry dense, finely carved bands of gods, friezes of elephants, horsemen and epic scenes in soapstone — a masterwork of Hoysala sculpture, though the main idols are no longer worshipped.
Getting there
How to visit
- About 35 km east of Mysuru near Bannur; reached by taxi or a day trip, often paired with Talakad.
- An ASI monument — buy the entry ticket; it is not an active worship temple.
Distance by road
- Bengaluru145 km
- Ooty125 km
- Coorg (Madikeri)120 km
- Mangaluru250 km
- Kozhikode215 km
Road km to Mysuru; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; morning light is best for photographing the carvings.
Weather in Chennakeshava Temple, SomanathapuraSeasonal guide
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Today at Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
Sunrise6:12 am
Sunset6:34 pm
Golden hour best light5:34 pm–6:34 pm
Blue hour after sunset6:34 pm–6:59 pm
Sun sets toward compass bearingW · 279°
Moon tonight🌖 Waning gibbous · 77%
South-west monsoon. June to September is the south-west monsoon in Karnataka. Expect heavy showers, mostly in bursts rather than all day — carry rain cover, allow extra time for getting around, and note that ferries and open-air sites are the first things affected.
Sun and moon are calculated for this location and shown in IST. Photography windows are the hour around sunrise and sunset; the sunset bearing is degrees clockwise from true north. Moon phase is accurate to about half a day.
Visitor notes
- ASI entry ticket applies; the shrines are non-functioning, so it is visited as a monument.
Photos
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura in pictures
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Top experiences around Somanathapura
One more place around Somanathapura worth a day of its own.
heritageTalakadu
18.6 km · ~31 min by cab
A historic temple town on a bend of the Kaveri where shifting river sand has buried and re-exposed ancient Ganga and Chola temples; the Panchalinga Darshana pilgrimage draws crowds every twelve years.
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Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura — at a glance
Timings8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Best timeOctober to February; morning light
Entry: ASI ticket ~Rs 25 (Indian), higher for foreign nationals
Getting here
How to reach Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
~35 km east of Mysuru near Bannur
Getting back
Work out your return before you settle in for the sunset. Public transport here thins out sharply in the evening, and Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura is easier to reach than to leave. We do not publish departure times: there is no official live feed we are permitted to republish, and a wrong time here would strand you. Check the operator directly on the day.
- KSRTC — the Karnataka state bus operator; route and schedule enquiries. Online booking.
- Indian Railways — live running and seat availability for the nearest railhead, named under “Getting here” above.
Ask at the bus stand for the time of the last service back, not the next one. If you miss it, an auto or app cab is the fallback — agree the fare before you get in.
Getting around Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
We have not assessed physical access at this place yet. Across India, step-free routes, handrails and accessible toilets are the exception rather than the rule, and pavements are often interrupted — if step-free access matters to you, contact the site or a local operator before committing to the trip.
If you need help at Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
112All emergencies (police · fire · medical)The single number to call in any emergency (ERSS).100Police101Fire108Ambulance (emergency / EMS)1091Women’s helpline (distress)1098Child helpline1363Tourist helpline (India, 24×7, multilingual)
Emergency numbers are verified against official government and state tourism sources. 112 works anywhere in India.
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Good to know
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura?
October to February; morning light is best for photographing the carvings.
What are the entry fee and timings at Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura?
Entry: ASI ticket ~Rs 25 (Indian), higher for foreign nationals. Timings: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM.
How do I reach Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura?
About 35 km east of Mysuru near Bannur; reached by taxi or a day trip, often paired with Talakad. An ASI monument — buy the entry ticket; it is not an active worship temple.
How much time do I need for Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura?
1 to 1.5 hours.
What else is near Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura?
Nearby you can pair Gunja Narasimhaswamy Temple, T. Narasipura (7.8 km), Talakadu (18.6 km), Lalitha Mahal (20.7 km), Mysore Sand Sculpture Museum (21.8 km).
Read before you go
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura guides, stories & itineraries
We have not published a story about Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura itself yet. These cover Somanathapura, the town it sits in, and the wider district.
Around Somanathapura
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura sits in Somanathapura, so these cover the streets, buildings and surroundings around it.
Photographs: Vasukrishnan57, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), Prashant Soratur (CC BY-SA 3.0), Vasukrishnan57 (CC BY-SA 4.0). Wikimedia Commons.
Image credits
- Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura:Vasukrishnan57, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0