Sri Chamundeshwari and Keshava Temples, Karnataka, India
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is a sacred hilltop temple, while Keshava Temple is famous for its intricate stone carvings. 1233
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple: 7VGJ+RHM UNESCO temples, Keshava Temple Rd, Somanathapura, Karnataka 571120, India
Keshava Temple: Somanathapura, Karnataka 571120, India
Date Picture Taken: Jan, 2026
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is a famous Hindu temple located atop Chamundi Hill overlooking Mysuru. Dedicated to the goddess Chamundeshwari, the patron deity of the Mysuru royal family, the temple has a history stretching back many centuries. Its prominent entrance tower, or gopuram, is decorated with intricate carvings of Hindu deities.
The temple remains an important pilgrimage site and is also popular for the panoramic views of Mysuru from Chamundi Hill.
Walking toward Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.
The Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
The ancient temple was developed over many centuries and received strong support from the Wadiyar rulers, who worshipped Chamundeshwari as their family deity.
Today, Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is an active Hindu temple and major pilgrimage site. Worshippers visit to pray and make offerings to Goddess Chamundeshwari, and the temple becomes especially important during festivals such as Dasara and Navaratri.
There were so many people inside Chamundeshwari Temple that we were squeezed together as we moved around.
As is common in Hindu temples, photography was not allowed inside.
After visiting the temple, we boarded our tour bus and traveled outside the city to Keshava Temple.
Keshava Temple at Somanathapura is a beautifully preserved 13th-century Hoysala temple, built in 1268 and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is especially famous for its remarkably detailed stone carvings covering much of the exterior, depicting Hindu deities, animals, decorative patterns, and scenes from Hindu epics.
As its construction date suggests, Keshava Temple looks much more ancient than Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.
The temple is part of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. Unlike Chamundeshwari Temple, it is especially significant today as a historic architectural monument.
Keshava Temple is built primarily of soapstone, a relatively soft stone when freshly quarried that allowed Hoysala craftsmen to create its extremely intricate carvings. As the stone ages and hardens, the detailed carvings are preserved remarkably well.
Inside Keshava Temple are three main shrines dedicated to forms of Lord Vishnu, connected by a central hall supported by intricately carved stone pillars. The interior also features beautifully carved ceilings, doorways, sculptures, and decorative stonework.
Unlike many active Hindu temples, Keshava Temple is no longer used for regular worship, so visitors are allowed to take photographs inside.
The exterior of Keshava Temple is covered with intricate stone carvings depicting Hindu gods and goddesses, animals, warriors, dancers, musicians, and scenes from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Decorative bands of elephants, horses, flowers, and geometric patterns also run around the temple.
I came back inside the temple.
Walking around the temple and admiring its intricate stone carvings.
After visiting the temple, we visited a local Indian family for dinner.
Then we stopped at a house that sold natural fragrances.
