The plow of the 2nd Millennium A.D. witnessed a marked resurgence of temple edifice traditions inward South Republic of Republic of India furthering the novel styles together with techniques developed inward the latter one-half of the get-go millennium when cave temples gave agency to towering monuments of granite together with sandstone. Though this era was mired inward dynastic feuds betwixt the Chalukyas of Kalyan together with Cholas of Thanjavur, heralded the reject of Gangas of Talakad together with beheld the rising Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra (present twenty-four hours Halebid) temple architecture reached novel heights surpassing the glory of the bygone days. Kings together with nobles showered patronage on gifted artisans together with architects commissioning grants together with lands for edifice temples. These temples which were the pump of religious together with social life likewise served some other usage of ensuring that the legacy of the Kings survived for a grand years long later the winds of fourth dimension razed their pompous kingdoms to dust. Today some of these temples prevarication forlornly inward serenity villages sitting on the shore of a placid lake together with reminisce of their heydays; the bustling capitols of the yore accept lost their sheen simply the temples nevertheless stand upwards steadfast narrating the tales of proud Kings who accept been forgotten.
Somanathapur is a non-descript hamlet located 30kms from the heritage urban amount of Mysore. However its narrow soiled lanes together with lush dark-green paddy fields harbor a good kept hole-and-corner – the Kesava Temple. Dating dorsum to 1268 A.D it is a classic example of Hoysala architecture together with is considered to live i of the virtually striking Hoysala temples matching inward poise together with beauty to the Chennakesava Temple inward Belur together with Hoysaleshwara Temple inward Halebid.
The monument is maintained yesteryear the Archaeological Survey of Republic of Republic of India together with a nominal entry fee is charged for all visitors. Here on a weekend i tin detect a teeming crowd consisting of schoolhouse children seemingly on a picnic, unusual tourists, pious devotees, enthusiastic photographers together with budding historians. Historically this temple was revered yesteryear the Maharajas of Mysore together with records demo that fifty-fifty inward the slow 1880s together with early on 1900s diverse dignitaries visited this marvel of human applied scientific discipline together with craftsmanship.
The temple is accessible from the eastern side yesteryear a doorway, inward a high boundary wall, which opens into a gallery running unopen to the temple. The sight of the shining dark towers rising against the cloudy bluish heaven is a delight; though watching the pelting launder over the sculpture studded walls during the monsoons is every bit enjoyable. H5N1 flying of steps descend to the stone-paved courtyard surrounding the temple which is raised on a raised platform (Jagati). Another flying of steps ascent to the platform together with and so to the intricately carved entrance flanked yesteryear heavily ornamented Dwarpalas (Gate-keepers). The doorway leads to a nighttime closed hall supported yesteryear rounded pillars bearing infinitesimal carvings. H5N1 narrow entrance hall connects the hall to the 3 shrines dedicated to Vishnu inward the cast of Kesava, Venugopala together with Janardhana. The ceilings are covered amongst sculptures of gods together with goddesses, blooming lotus flowers, stories from epics together with mythical beasts.
A soothing calm permeates the surround complimented yesteryear the filtered sunrays creeping through the perforated rock windows bathing the hall inward a dim light. One tin sit down on the rock benches which are projections on the outer wall together with escape into the nothingness experiencing a fleeting 2nd of unadulterated peace.
This temple, as all other Hoysala temples, is genuinely remarkable for the thousands of sculptures which adorn the outer walls rendered possible yesteryear the usage of soapstone as a edifice material. Soapstone has a unique character – it is soft when mined together with becomes difficult on exposure to air hence making it possible to live carved into meticulous idols together with shapes. H5N1 circumambulation of the temple gives an insight into the science together with precision of the quondam artists as non an inch is spared amongst carvings spread over the outer walls of the star-shaped cella, hall together with the towers. An eave runs along the outer wall separating the upper department decorated amongst towers on pilasters together with the lower one-half covered yesteryear images of myriad gods, goddesses together with demi-gods. Vishnu resting on Shesh Nag inward Baikuntha, Krishna playing his flute, Lakshmi amongst Narasimha, Durga slaying the demon Mahisasura together with Saraswati playing the Veena are some of the noteworthy sculptures. Six friezes likewise run along the temple walls depicting birds, riders atop elephants together with horses, makaras (mythical aquatic beasts), floral designs together with tales from Ramayana together with Mahabharata. One tin pass days analyzing together with agreement the significance of these artistic relics as they non alone reverberate upon the religious aspect of that era simply likewise shed low-cal on the social norms together with how creative expressions evolved over time.
Visiting the temple is existence led downwards the annals of history though the grandeur has been swallowed yesteryear the forces of nature together with man. The stoic sculptures on the walls stare into the yesteryear together with hark dorsum to a menses when a vibrant settlement flourished inward this share together with the sweetness H2O of Cauvery nurtured the hopes of budding artists who aspired to exit their grade on this world. And although these nameless dreamers accept long since been gone their ambitions alive on unfazed yesteryear the incessant march of time.
Deeptangan Pant
April 2014