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Offered languages
- English
At Somnathpur you will find one of the most perfectly preserved temples in India. The 13th century Chennakesava temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Hoysala dynasty on a star shaped platform, its exterior covered entirely in carved sculpture. Every dancer on the walls has her nose cut off. Your guide will unravel that mystery.
At Talakadu you will find something completely different. This was once a thriving town of 30 temples until a queen cursed it in the 17th century and the sand dunes buried everything. Five temples have since been excavated from the sand. One has a lingam said to change colour through the day from red to black to white. A bullock cart ride takes you between the temples through the dunes.
Two extraordinary sites. One private car from Bangalore. An expert cultural guide throughout. All entry fees and a South Indian vegetarian lunch included.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Itinerary
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1Mysore Sree Muthappa Kshetram
Somnathpur is famous for the magnificent Chennakesava temple. It has been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This temple was built in 1268 by Somanatha, a general of King Narasimha III. We will explore the three shrines and three wonderfully carved peaks with a common Mandapa. The next couple of hours will be spent appreciating the 16 different ceilings, each depicting a different stage of a blooming banana flower, the central wall space adorned with images of deities with jewellery, bangles, crowns and anklets.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
2
Next, we will visit Keertinarayana temple, built using black granite and bricks, and a splendid example of Hoysala style of architecture. This was built to commemorate the victory of King Vishnuvardhan over the Cholas. The highlight of this temple is the 2-meter tall main deity of the Lord.
1 hour • Admission ticket included -
3
Hotel pick up will be at 730 am and we will head towards Talakadu, located 130km from Bangalore. The journey will take 3 hours. Talakadu used to be a flourishing town with more than 30 temples during ancient times. The legendary Queen’s curse buried the entire town with sand dunes. We will visit Vaidyanatheswara temple, one of the 5 temples excavated from the sands. Over the next 2 hours, we will explore this granite structure built in the 14th century by Chola Kings and dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will also visit Pataleshwara Shiva temple where the Lingam is supposed to change colors through the day from red, black and white.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 18 years
- Footwear needs to be removed before entering temples and we have multiple temples on this itinerary. So slippers or slip-ons which can be easily removed, are preferable
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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