Ten Kms from Arsikere, at Haranahalli village with a population of 6000 people stand two beautiful Hoysala temples – one of Lord Krishna, as Channakesava and other Lord Shiva, as Someshwara – an early 13th Century edifice. Here we feature, the Channakesava Temple and the following week the Someshwara Temple.
Hoysala King, Vira Narasimha II built this beautiful temple on a natural mound of this small village. It is said that this temple was built after the victory over the Cholas, at the battle of Talkad in 1116 AD. Hoysalas after this victorious battle conquered Gangavadi – today’s modern Southern Karnataka. Another story which goes around the building of this beautiful Channakesava Temple in the year 1234 is that the Hoysala King wanted to out-do the Western Chalukyan King Vikramaditya VI in his temple construction spree!
The temple is star shaped on a platform in it’s iconic Hoysala style carved and sculpted in slate stone. The interior of the temple has three shrines and is sculpted from the floor to roof. The temple walls both inside and outside and to the towers are filled with idols from Hindu mythology alongside with animals, floral designs, celestial nymphs and dancers with special reference to Queen Shantala, the beautiful dancing queen of one of the greatest Hoysala ruler, Vishnuvardhana. The structure is based on design interweaved with puranas i.e., stories from Hindu mythology. 118 inscriptions have been unearthed from this temple complex given historians a wealth of information of the era. A rich heritage – treasure trove of knowledge!
This Temple stands still in isolation with all it’s glory gracing this small village, Haranahalli of Arsikere taluk & Hassan District of Karnataka. This village has no facilities except for a few tuck shops nor does Arsikere – with great difficulty found a small hotel for breakfast! Traveling this circuit, one needs to carry all your needs and cash.
This area has a lot of heritage sites. Discovery in progress to my knowledge and your information. A day trip leaving early in the morning at sunrise and back at sunset is possible. You will traverse only 400 & odd Kms. Roads are good.
-Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
12th Century Hoysala Twin-Temple Village – Haranahalli of Karnataka
