Lakshmi Narayana Temple - Hosaholalu, Shravanabelagola - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 16 km from Kikkeri, 25 km from Melukote, 26 km from Shravanabelagola, 55 km from Mysore, and 69 km from Hassan, the Lakshminarayana Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Hosaholalu in the Mandya district of Karnataka. It is one lesser-known Hoysala temples in Karnataka and among the top places to visit in Hassan.

Lakshminarayana Temple in Hosaholalu was built by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala Empire in 1250 CE. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple may not be as famous as the other temples of Karnataka but it is a mystifying place. The beautifully carved sculptures, grand temple interiors, and the overall design of this shrine are the most attractive features.

Built out of Soapstone, Sri Lakshminaryana Temple at Hosaholalu is a splendid example of a trikuta vimana (three shrines) temple though only the central shrine exhibits a tower on top. The lateral shrines are square in construction with five projections and no special features. The temple is built on a jagati (platform) that resembles a star. This platform is raised and has a pillared hall or navaranga in the center and the three shrines around it.

The interior of the temple consists of a closed hall (navaranga) of modest size with four polished lathe-turned pillars supporting the roof. The four central pillars divide the hall into nine equal 'bays' (compartments) and nine decorated ceilings. Each pillar is beautifully carved with sculptures of young dancing girls in various graceful and elegant poses. The main shrine containing the idol of Lakshminarayana and the North and South facing garbhagrihas have the idols of Sri Venu Gopala Swamy and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha respectively.

The base, like all Hoysala temples, has six layers of decorative moldings that comprise of swans, elephants, horse riders, leafy scrolls, various gods and goddesses, and scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharatha. The midsection of the temple is richly decorated with sculptures of various Gods, incarnations of Lord Vishnu, dancing Saraswathi, Brahma, Ganapathi, Yoga - Madhava, and many other deities. And, most of the sculptures and images at the Lakshminarayana temple are intact and have been very well preserved.

Timings: 9 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free