Somanathpur is the site of the Prasanna Chennakesava Temple with the star-shaped base characteristic of Hoysala temple architecture. Of the three most famous Hoysala temples in Karnataka,this was the last to be built, in AD 1268. It is sittuated in a small village about 22 miles from Mysore city, a short distace worth making to see the degree of sculptural and structural precision that the art of temple-building could attain. (It is sad to see foreign tourist wasting their time around Mysore and missing this temple.)

In Hoysala temples there are three shrines, one for each member of the trinity.In the main one facing the entrance, the images of the sentries still stand guard, though the idol of Lord Chennakeshava was stolen long ago.

The northern shrine still has its image of Janardhana and the southern that of Venugopal. Both have halos carved with the 10 incarnations of Vishnu. The latter idol is particularly symmetrical: holding a flute, it stands with nose, navel and supporting foot in precise alignment.

Each shrine has its tower and mutipillered hall that opens out onto a central square called navarang, where songs and dances was performed in worship.

The exterior walls are frescoed with narrative passages from Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatgeetha, laid out so exactly that each segment ends at a door. Allthe carvings is at a comfortable eye - level - marvellously articulate carving, with a variety of facial expressions minutely renderd. Vivid with detal, no two frescoes are alike, and some extend right round the temple. The carvings ascend the temple walls in seven rows of distict motifs.

How to get there : KSTDC has conducter tours. Refer www.kstdc.nic.in. A car hire from Mysore is inexpensive,or alternatively arrange a trip by car Mysore - Somanathpur - Belur - Halibid - Mysore, with one night stop over in Hassan. A/C Car with driver may cost beteween 30 to 40 US $ per day. Accommadation Hotel Mayura Velapuri Temple Road belur run by KSTDC Single Bed US 4$ Double Bed US 5$ Southern Star Hassan sshassan@vsnl.com A/C Single US 25$ + tax A/C Double US 30$ + tax Useful websites www.kstdc.nic.in www.indiamart.com/temples www.attindiatourism.com www.chennaiweb.com Times of India