Ancient Hoysala Shri Channakeshava Temple - Hindu temple in Arakere - Hassan, India

Channakeshava Temple is located in Arakere, Karnataka at a distance of 50 Kms from Chikmagallure, 55 Kms from Hassan and 155 Kms from Mysore. It is a Trikuta temple - Chenna Keshava, Venugopala and Narasimha. Murthis are very nice. Unauthorised houses alround - even approach road to temple is narrow -Though it is under ASI , not being looked after . Govt must take care from further decay. This trikuta temple is dedicated to Lord Keshava in the main western garbhagriha with Lords Venugopala and Lakshmi Narasimha in the other two cells. The outer walls of this temple have some fine carvings of the Hoysala period. There is another temple dedicated to Lord Rameshwara built during the same period. Much plainer compared to most other Hoysala temples, this small shrine is nonetheless beautiful. This is a trikuta Vishnu temple built in the 13th century as per the ASI website. This temple was built in the later Hoysala period, in granite with a Kadamba Nagara shikhara and dated to 13th century AD on stylistic grounds. This trikuta temple, on plan has three garbhagrihas, opening into a common sabhamandapa and a mukhamandapa.The three sanctums house representations of Vishnu as Kesava in west, Venugopal in south and Lakshmi-Narasimha in north. In elevation, the temple has an adhisthana with conventional mouldings over which rises the wall. The antarala of the western shrine is marked with sukanasa projection. This is the single shikhara of the temple.The exterior of the temple wall has crude representations of various aspects of Vishnu in addition to secular sculptures. The sculptures do not have the workmanship compared to others constructed under Mallitamma, the sculptor. The carvings, however, have their own beauty which differentiates the temple from other Hoysala temples. In between the sculptural depictions on the external walls are inserted slender tall pilasters and single pilaster turrets to break the monotony.The main deities are exquisite and the statue of Channakeshava surpasses any other in its ethereal beauty. After all, Channakeshava means "Beautiful Vishnu" To the left of the entrance is a large stone tablet which contains a inscription in ancient Kannada giving details of the construction of the temple. The temple is currently under the ASI. But not maintained properly. There are unaurthorised houses alround the temple. Even the approach to the temple is very difficult - narrow paths due to unauthorised constructions.There are multiple villages called Arakere in Karnataka. There are some villages called Arakere which also have a Chennakeshava Temple. Visitors should ensure that they reach the correct temple when planning a trip. The keys to the temple are available with the villagers in case it is found to be locked since the pujari is not always in attendance.A smaller temple than it's more famous Hoysala temples in the area, this temple nevertheless has its own charm. Though it receives a lesser number of visitors being off the popular itineraries, it is definitely worth a visit.

It have a history of hoysala and having 3gods in one temple that they call for this temple tricanochal temple that have devotion in this place the temple was cept very beutifully garden and cleanses but government support is very important in this there is no facility of light because one they puted a solar lights now they don't working and some security they want so please see this temple and please support this temple for tourist place please support this once u go and investigate this temple of officer who are incharge this temple we can make this temple next level in the future go and see this temple this temple is very nice sculpture and in story but once vist this temple when you will go to halebidu and belur on the way only we can go to this temple nice temple and nice story of this temple I will give for this temple 5star

Nice place

The place to recognise the wonder of sculpture..

Not hating village inside good road not there

Very beautiful, but government support required.

Very small but near around 800 years old temple

Great temple...Must see