Famous Temples in India

Architecture

In the sanctum the image of god Kesava six feet high, stands on a Garuda pedestal. It is well-sculptured and serene in expression and is called Saumyakeshava. The temple gets its name from the "serene" (lit, "Saumya"). The tower over the entrance (gopuram) is a 7- tiered, tall lime and brick structure that is adorned by hindu gods, goddesses and other decorative structures and temple facing in East direction. The Vijaynagara kings added "Garuda sthamb" to the temple 55 feet height, Garuda Sthambam known as Vijaya sthambam. Purana says this was erected by Sri Ramanujar, we see Garudazhwar to one side and Hanuman as Kowbinadhari to another side. The roof of the closed mandapa is supported by lathe turned pillars, a standard feature in Hoysala constructions. These pillars divide the ceiling into "bays" (four central pillars create 9 bays in the closed hall) that are exceptionally well treated. The temple is three shrined (trikutachala), has a garbhagriha (sanctum) and the temple stands on a high rising platform, hoysala style. The outer wall of the shrine and the large hall are single pilastered turreted walls.

Mandapas & Pillars - The central mandapam in front of the main deity sannidhi has an intricately carved stone structure, adhiseshan engraved in the middle of the structure. Around that Adhiseshan 108 conches (shanku) are engraved. Head of the adhiseshan is believed as Raghu and tail is believed as Kethu. A navaranga, a large pillared mahamandapa, the navaranga has two shrines at north and south. The navaranga of the temple is square from outside, divided into twelve ankanas (segments). There is a Mandapam known as Bhuvaneswari Mandapam with huge pillars to four sides.