Turuvekere, Karnataka, India: Darshan of Chennakeshava Srinivasan The beautiful Vigraha of Chennakeshava inside the Garbhagriha is carved out of Krishnashila (black stone) and stands on a Garuda Peetha (Pedestal). Chennakeshava holds Shanka and Chakra in his back hands, while in his front holds he holds Padma and Gadha. Sri Chennakeshava temple in Turuvekere is an Ekakuta temple built by Somanna Dannayaka - a general under the reign of Hoysala King Narasimha III. During the time of Hoysalas, Turuvekere was a prominent Agrahara named Sarvajna Vijaya Narasimhapuri. The temple faces east and has Mukhamantapa, Navaranga Antarala and Garbhagriha. Like other Hoysala temples this temple too stands on a star shaped Jagati (Platform). It is a fine example of Bhumija style of architecture. The beautiful Vigraha of Chennakeshava inside the Garbhagriha is carved out of Krishnashila (black stone) and stands on a Garuda Peetha (Pedestal). Chennakeshava holds Shanka and Chakra in his back hands, while in his front holds he holds Padma and Gadha. There are miniature carvings of Vishnu's Dashavatars on the Prabhavali. A TO Z INDIA NOVEMBER 2022 PAGE 24
A TO Z INDIA - NOVEMBER 2022 Page 23 Page 25