Temples of India - Chennakesava Temple, Mysore - TravellerG

TravellerG · January 27, 2019, 10:42am

Temples of India -1

There are some of the most beautiful Temples, built from Sangam Period (3rd Century), in Southern India, which even mixes North Indian styles.

…‘The Chennakesava Temple’ …

(Near Mysuru, Karnataka, India), of Hindu Lord Vishnu is situated on the banks of River Kaveri. This temple is an excellent example of the artistic, cultural and theological perspectives, prevailed in the12th century, in South India during the Hoysala Empire rule. Some inscriptions related to the repair of the temple, by the Vijayanagara empire, is also visible.

The Temple:

The temple, enclosed in a courtyard, has pillared corridors; these different types of pillars are of huge size and might have taken centuries to design, get it crafted and install it in its’ proper place – remember there were no cranes or machines.

The foundation, the walls, the Gopura, the Pillars, the roof, along with millions of intricate idols and structures, will take at least a full day, if one wants to see it in detail.

The Album - Here.

Note: Most of these temples have been looted and many idols were defaced by many conquerors - very sad.

Tourists: Kindly consider to include, one of these (such) Temples in your itinerary.

The following shots will give a glimpse of the feel, I hope.

No: 1. The view from the front (Main entrance of the Main Temple)

No:2. The main temple, a view from the right of the temple.

No:3. Another view from the left, back of the temple.

No:4. One of the Main sanctum entrance - Notice the intricate lathe-work done on huge Granite Pillars.

No:5. A closer view from the right side - Notice the millions of intricate carvings.!!!

No: 6. One piece of the Roof-Ceiling

No: 7. Another intricate Pillar

No: 8. One of the corridor with huge pillars & crafted wall.

No: 9. Close up of an idol, with damaged face and broken hands.!!! Still you can see the greatness of the artisans.

Hope, this will be interesting to you all, especially, dear friends, @BorrisS @OmerAli @IshantHP_ig @PaulJahn @AlexDorg @TheEagleEye @Gelin0512 @NirmalTeja @br14n @ReshamDas - What do you feel? Could you help me with your comments, please…

Thanks in advance.

OmerAli · January 27, 2019, 10:56am

Thanks for the share @TravellerG

The temple looks pristine. I simply cannot believe the craftsmanship of the artisans and specially the architects who came up with this magnificent temple. I am just lost in the details. I am wondering how grand will it look at night

TravellerG · January 27, 2019, 10:57am

Welcome dear friend @OmerAli

IshantHP_ig · January 27, 2019, 11:44am

**Thanks a lot @TravellerG **

For tagging me in the amazing post; your all pictures are superb.

I also shared one of my post related to Shri Hanuman Dham temple, Uttarakhand.

Take a look

** @OmerAli **

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Shri-Hanuman-Dham-Ramnagar-Uttarakhand-India/m-p/1259298#M271842

BorrisS · January 28, 2019, 8:47am

Hello @TravellerG ,

Thank you for tagging me and sharing these amazing pictures and details with us. The photos reminded me a book about India that I bought long time ago. In this same book this temple was mentioned, along with the one of Khajuraho, Thanjavur, and many others.

For me India and art in all its forms have always been one and cannot be separated, and such temples are the living proof of the incredible work of these people, trying to show beauty through their creativity.

TravellerG · January 28, 2019, 1:10pm

Thank you for your kind reply, dear @IshantHP_ig - hope you have seen my response to the Hanuman Dham.

Regards

TravellerG · January 28, 2019, 1:15pm

You are well read about India, I understand; of course, this temple (like Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram), is mentioned in many books - these are Gems!

Happy to know that you enjoyed the post, dear friend @BorrisS ; usually, the response from general LGs, to such posts are really disappointing…

Regards…

BorrisS · January 28, 2019, 1:56pm

@TravellerG , I have to thank you for this great post and I’m already expecting the upcoming one. I love reading everything about and from India, from the Panchatantra to the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, so for me it’s always a pleasure to see a post about temples and the sculptures of the Gods.

Speaking about temples, have you been to the Rat temple - Karni Mata?

davidhyno · January 28, 2019, 2:47pm

Wow @TravellerG !

**"**The temple, enclosed in a courtyard, has pillared corridors; these different types of pillars are of huge size and might have taken centuries to design, get it crafted and install it in its’ proper place – remember there were no cranes or machines." for me it’s incredible…

Thanks for your beautiful photos!!

Bye,

David

RadieN · January 28, 2019, 3:25pm

Hi @TravellerG ,

Another awesome post from you, thank you for sharing! I really like that you have taken photos of the Chennakesava temple from different angles, I feel like I have already visited it. All these carvings are unbelievable, I cannot imagine how much hard work and dedication they required. Simply amazing!

TorM · January 28, 2019, 3:36pm

@TravellerG

This is a really cool post about the temples of India.

For me as a European totally exotic.

Thank you for this!

I can’t see all photos but try it later from an other device. The once I can see are really nice.

DeniGu · January 29, 2019, 4:32am

Hi @TravellerG ,

This is such a gorgeous temple!

The structure is quite imposing, but what really got my attention were the details. Wow! Can’t even begin to imagine the dedication, hard work, creativity, and gentle but firm touch it took to make all those little sculptures. I’ve always loved the curviness of the human figures and the general fullness of all objects in Indian art.

Is the Chennakesava Temple still working today? Or it’s simply open for visitors as a tourist attraction?

TravellerG · January 30, 2019, 9:45am

Oh…Thanks dear friend, @BorrisS - I was not knowing about this temple (I just had a glance of the temple, in the Google; looks amazing). Once again thanks for the information - will study more.

with regards

TravellerG · January 30, 2019, 10:02am

Here is where "Impossible is made Possible… Indeed.!!!

Thank you my dear friend, @davidhyno .

PS:

Pleasant to see a new post after long time.

TravellerG · January 30, 2019, 10:05am

It is really amazing…!!! Generations of people born & died here…

Thanks for your detailed response, dear @RadieN - happy to hear that you liked the frames & details.

Regards

TravellerG · January 30, 2019, 10:49am

Many of such temples were renovated during the time British period. Happy to know that you liked the post, dear friend @TorM . Hope you could have glanced at other photos, later.

Incidentally, I shall be posting another very important Temple - “Shore Temple of Mahabalipuram” (Tamil Nadu, India) - I shall TAG you.

Thanks

with regards.

TravellerG · January 30, 2019, 10:57am

Yes, dear friend, @DeniGu - It is amazing and unbelievable to understand that these stones were brought from other places, The details of the sculptures, at Belur & Halebeedu Temples are even more complex.

You wrote:

“Is the Chennakesava Temple still working today? Or it’s simply open for visitors as a tourist attraction?”

Yes, it is open to devotees and tourists;
However, out of the three main deities, one is missing. (All are of Lord Vishnu)

To be more precise, this has become more a Tourist attraction than a pilgrimage centre.

BorrisS · January 30, 2019, 11:41am

@TravellerG , your welcome and I’m aware that there are hundreds of temples, impossible to know them all by heart.

RadieN · January 30, 2019, 1:07pm

Yes, @TravellerG , I liked them a lot! I’m looking forward to your next great post! Thanks to you and other Local Guides I’m always learning some interesting facts about the wonderful India.

DeniGu · January 31, 2019, 5:18pm

Oh, do you know what happened to the deity, @TravellerG ?

I also checked the temples in Belur and Halebeedu that you mentioned, and they really look so intricate and delicate!