Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

The Lakshminarayana Temple at Hosaholalu in Mandya district, about 45 km north-west of Mysore and 60 km south-east of Hassan, is a Vishnu temple attributed to the Hoysala king Vira Someshwara around 1250 CE. With no foundation inscription, it is dated by comparison with the similar temples at Javagal, Nuggehalli and Somanathapura.

Built of soapstone on a platform raised 4.5 feet with elephants at its corners, the temple has three shrines: Narayana in the centre, Venugopala to the south and Lakshmi Narasimha to the north. Only the central shrine carries a four-storey tower, whose projecting front over the vestibule mixes Dravida and central Indian Bhumija motifs. The plinth is carved with panels telling stories from the two epics and the Bhagavata Purana, and the hall inside has polished, jewel-like carving.