Frontal view, Kesava temple, Somanathapura
The temple is housed inside an impressive high wall and the entrance to the complex is through a porch with tall lathe-turned pillars.The material used for the temple is chloritic schist or soapstone. The main reasons that make the Keshava temple standout amidst the large number of Hoysala monuments are its symmetrical architecture, fine sculptures on equally prominent shrines, and a temple that is surrounded by panels forming a cloister. While there are Hoysala temples with better sculpture and others with better architecture, this temples satisfies all requirements. It was built by the famous architect/sculptor Ruvari Malithamma who was well known for his expertise in ornamentation.
The temple is housed inside an impressive high wall and the entrance to the complex is through a porch with tall lathe-turned pillars.The material used for the temple is chloritic schist or soapstone. The main reasons that make the Keshava temple standout amidst the large number of Hoysala monuments are its symmetrical architecture, fine sculptures on equally prominent shrines, and a temple that is surrounded by panels forming a cloister. While there are Hoysala temples with better sculpture and others with better architecture, this temples satisfies all requirements. It was built by the famous architect/sculptor Ruvari Malithamma who was well known for his expertise in ornamentation.
The temple which is built on a jagati (platform)is a trikuta (triple
shrined) and fully satisfies the terminology as all vimanas (shrines)
have a superstructure (tower).Inside the temple, each vimana has a
vestibule that connects it to the main rectangular mantapa (hall). Like
the shrines, all three vestibules also have their own tower which is
called the sukanasi (or nose), though it is shorter and hence looks like
a low extension of the main superstructure over the shrine. The outer
walls of all three shrines, their towers and nose are equally well
decorated, making it overall a very well balanced design. The temple
stands on a jagati (platform) and the three vimanas are located at the
back and are connected by a common rectangular closed mantapa.
The jagati closely follows the plan of the temple and there is a gallery with lathe-turned pillars all along the sides of the temple complex which adds to the effect. There is one flight of steps that leads to the jagati and one that leads from the jagati into the mantapa. The wide jagati invites devotees to follow the ritualistic clockwise circumambulation before entering the temple hall. The full effect of the rectangular hall is seen only when the temple profile is viewed. The hall has 16 bays. The outside wall of the hall is well decorated with relief friezes, and pierced windows screens above them.
All the three shrines have a 16 pointed stellate (star-shaped) design and their towers follow the same pattern. Hence the whole structure looks like a rhythmic progression of well decorated projections and recesses. The number of points make the towers look circular.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennakesava_Temple,_Somanathapura
The jagati closely follows the plan of the temple and there is a gallery with lathe-turned pillars all along the sides of the temple complex which adds to the effect. There is one flight of steps that leads to the jagati and one that leads from the jagati into the mantapa. The wide jagati invites devotees to follow the ritualistic clockwise circumambulation before entering the temple hall. The full effect of the rectangular hall is seen only when the temple profile is viewed. The hall has 16 bays. The outside wall of the hall is well decorated with relief friezes, and pierced windows screens above them.
All the three shrines have a 16 pointed stellate (star-shaped) design and their towers follow the same pattern. Hence the whole structure looks like a rhythmic progression of well decorated projections and recesses. The number of points make the towers look circular.
Gallery[edit]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennakesava_Temple,_Somanathapura
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