Hosaholalu Lakshminarayana Temple Krishnarajpet

The Lakshminarayana Temple is located in Hosaholalu, a small town in the Mandya district of Karnataka state, India. It was built by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala Empire in 1250 C.E. The dating of the temple is based on the style of the sculptures and architecture that compares closely with the contemporary Hoysala monuments at Javagal, Nuggehalli and Somanathapura. The town of Hosaholalu is about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Hassan and 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the heritage city of Mysore, the cultural capital of Karnataka state. The temple of Sri.Lakshmi Narayana at Hosaholalu is another master piece of Hoysala art. The temple is situated at a distance of 2 kms from the taluk head quarters of Krishna Raja Pete in Mandya District. This temple is a Trikutachala and is facing East direction. The temple complex houses Sri.Lakshmi Narayana facing East, Sri.Venu Gopala Swamy facing North and Sri.Lakshmi Narasimha facing South direction. There is a structural addition to the main entrance built during the Vijayanagara times and one can easily identify the structure which are similar to Dravidian style of construction. The Garuda Khamba is missing or not present and it needs to be either rebuilt. The moment one enters the temple, one can find fine carvings on the pillar at the entrance, with 16 corners, 32 corners and 64 corners respectively, the first four pillars are star shaped and the remaining four pillars in the Navaranga are bell shaped with extra ordinary carvings on them. As we go around the Navaranga, one can find an intrinsic work executed in the roof and enjoy the beauty of the same, each roof top is different from the other and posses unique design and locking mechanism such as single washer, double washer, hexagonal nut, etc., As we enter the temple from East, one can spot the Ganesh idol being carved and housed between the Sri.Venu Gopala Swamy and Sri.Lakshmi Narayana, the intent of this is to have a look at Ganesha at the first instance and then proceed towards watching Venu Gopala. The original Venu Gopala Swamy has been restored at Kanamabadi, but recently during 1950's a new image was sculpted and restored here. One can see the small idol of the original image on the door way of the same. The Lakshmi Narayana idol is very beautiful and one can observe the Dashavathara being sculpted in the Prabhavali. The idol itself is very cute and attracts ones attention by the delicate work executed. On the entrance of the Garbhagirha, one can find the Dwarapalakas, who are standing with greater details of the ornaments and clothes they are wearing. Also they are housed in a mantapa which is decorated with Nagara, Dravida, Kalinga, Vesera and Bhumija style of Gopuras or Vimanas. Also, one can find the fine lace work or embroidery work being executed on the entrance of the Garbha griha. A small idol representing Vishnu has been identified on the roof top as well. After we proceed from Lakshmi Narayana, one can spot the Parvathi idol in the form of Mahishasura Mardini and the craftsmenship is at its peak. One can clearly find the rib cage of Mahishasura being crushed due to the extreme pressure exerted from the foot of Mahishasura Mardhini. The Lakshmi Narasimha idol is beautifully carved and Sri.Lakshmi is seated on the left thigh of Sri.Narasimha. After having a view of the temple from inside, one has to see the very minute information present on the pillars and the roof. With a keen sight, one can find Sri.Anajeneya Swamy drinking Coconut water on the Right Hand side pillar before the entrance of Sri.Lakshmi Narayana Garbhagirha. The carving is so small and it can be covered with a thumb. While coming out of the temple one really feels the workmanship executed on the pillars especially and each pillar is having unique design, also to the surprise, there is one masterpiece which is executed on the pillar with 64 corners, one can insert a small pin behind the corners and also on the top of it, one can see the intricate design work being executed and the hollow behind the work is simply amazing. As one walks out with so much detailing present every where, you will be really excited to take a walk along the Pradakshin patha on the pedestal. The whole Pradakshina Patha is covered with intense details of Bhagavatha, Ramayana & Mahabharatha in great depths on the railings. The images of Vishnu, Lakshmi, Parvathi, Shiva, Brahma, Ganapathi, etc., along with other dieties can be found across the temple. This is one place where great details regarding the Ramayana and Mahabharatha epics are present. One can find a similar work executed at Amrithapura and Halebeedu, but they appear to be incomplete and some of the scenes appears to be missing. It really takes you by surprise as you understand each scene and thorough understanding of these epics is not required as the picture by themselves are self explanatory.