Somanathapura
is famous for the Chennakesava Temple (also called Kesava or Keshava temple)
which was built in 1268 CE (35 km away from Mysore). The Keshava
temple is one of the most complete examples of Hoysala architecture and is
in a very well preserved condition.
You
can always rent a car, but what's the fun in that? We got there by two buses.
The first bus took us from the Mysore city center to Narsipura. We then hopped
on a smaller local bus from Narsipura to Somanathapura (6 km). As long as
you can stomach the children following you on the bus and asking for money,
then you'll be fine.
The
fee to get into the temple (for non-Indian folk) is 100 Rps. There's a shop
with brass buddhas and statues right before the entrance. His prices are too
high for what they're worth and he doesn't come down on price very much (until
you leave the shop and are waiting for the bus). I highly question the quality
of the statues since I saw some white powder coming out of them.
This
is a tourist attraction and education attraction for local Indians, so be
prepared. Indians will try to take photographs of you or with you as much as
the temple itself. I would highly suggest not taking any pictures with anyone.
I even saw a few trying to sneak photographs of us.
Getting
back from Somanathapura was a bit challenging. The bus wasn't exactly at
"30 minute" intervals. We were only 35 km outside of Mysore, but it
felt like the middle of nowhere. We hitched a ride on a white truck. It's
bigger than a rickshaw and can hold quite a few people (10 Rps per person). It
took us all the way back to Narsipura where we were able to
find the bus back to Mysore.
There's
really no place to eat until you get back to Mysore. I would suggest taking a
light snack and water with you just in case. Luckily, I didn't have to use the
bathroom nor did I see a ladies toilet, so good luck finding one (or a bush)!
We bought some crackers from a boy selling them on the bus back to Mysore. They
tasted like animal crackers and did the job.
Somanathapura
is famous for the Chennakesava Temple (also called Kesava or Keshava temple)
which was built in 1268 CE (35 km away from Mysore). The Keshava
temple is one of the most complete examples of Hoysala architecture and is
in a very well preserved condition.
You
can always rent a car, but what's the fun in that? We got there by two buses.
The first bus took us from the Mysore city center to Narsipura. We then hopped
on a smaller local bus from Narsipura to Somanathapura (6 km). As long as
you can stomach the children following you on the bus and asking for money,
then you'll be fine.
The
fee to get into the temple (for non-Indian folk) is 100 Rps. There's a shop
with brass buddhas and statues right before the entrance. His prices are too
high for what they're worth and he doesn't come down on price very much (until
you leave the shop and are waiting for the bus). I highly question the quality
of the statues since I saw some white powder coming out of them.
This
is a tourist attraction and education attraction for local Indians, so be
prepared. Indians will try to take photographs of you or with you as much as
the temple itself. I would highly suggest not taking any pictures with anyone.
I even saw a few trying to sneak photographs of us.
Getting
back from Somanathapura was a bit challenging. The bus wasn't exactly at
"30 minute" intervals. We were only 35 km outside of Mysore, but it
felt like the middle of nowhere. We hitched a ride on a white truck. It's
bigger than a rickshaw and can hold quite a few people (10 Rps per person). It
took us all the way back to Narsipura where we were able to
find the bus back to Mysore.
There's
really no place to eat until you get back to Mysore. I would suggest taking a
light snack and water with you just in case. Luckily, I didn't have to use the
bathroom nor did I see a ladies toilet, so good luck finding one (or a bush)!
We bought some crackers from a boy selling them on the bus back to Mysore. They
tasted like animal crackers and did the job.
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