Saumyakeshava Temple, Nagamangala

The Saumyakeshava temple at Nagamangala in Mandya district, 62 km from Mysore on the Srirangapatna–Sira road, was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala rulers. Nagamangala became a Vaishnava centre under King Vishnuvardhana, with the patronage of his queen Bommaladevi, and flourished as a seat of learning under Veera Ballala II. The temple is protected by the ASI as a monument of national importance.

Built of soapstone and raised on a platform, the main shrine has a star-shaped plan and shows the northern Nagara features seldom seen in Hoysala work, with a plain tower that gives the building an austere look. It has three shrines, a closed hall with lathe-turned pillars dividing the ceiling into nine finely treated bays, and a large pillared hall. Vijayanagara rulers later added the entrance tower and enclosing walls; the seven-storey gopuram is of brick and lime with stucco gods and goddesses. The temple takes its name from the serene six-foot image of Keshava standing on a Garuda pedestal.