Somnathpur is where the outstanding, intricately carved 13th century Hoysala Sri Channakesava Temple is located. Somnathpur is 35km east of Mysore and 138km west of Bangalore.

Sri Channa Keshava Temple
This beautiful temple has some of the most magnificent carvings that you will find in India. There are excellent sculptures of scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The Hoysala general Somnath, who served under Narasimha II, built it in 1268. The temple is made of soapstone, which is very easy to carve in extreme detail.