Chennakesava Temple – Somanathapura
(Image copyrighted to Ayashok Photography. All rights reserved.)
This temple location, from near Halebid, Karnataka is easily one of the most easily recognizable temples of India. Being the avid fan of the Superstar, this location caught our attention first with the ‘Adhaanda Idhaanda’ song from Arunachalam. The more pictures of this location you see, the more you wonder at the architectural marvel that the temple is. Though the song from Arunachalam is what made us notice this location in the first place, it is the song ‘Punnagaikku’ from the movie Appu that actually captures the beauty of this temple in all its glory. Vasanth sets the temple as the backdrop while as the same time, blacks out the faces of the dancers to give a very novel effect that actually showcases the beauty of the temple even better.
About the location (from Wiki):
The Chennakesava Temple ,located at Somanathapura is one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. This temple was built by Soma, a Dandanayaka (commander) in 1268 under Hoysala king Narasimha III, when the Hoysala Empire was the major power in South India.
The temple is housed inside an impressive high wall and the entrance to the complex is through a porch with tall lathe-turned pillars. The material used for the temple is chloritic schist or soapstone. The main reasons that make the Keshava temple standout amidst the large number of Hoysala monuments are its symmetrical architecture, fine sculptures on equally prominent shrines, and a temple that is surrounded by panels forming a cloister. While there are Hoysala temples with better sculpture and others with better architecture, this temples satisfies all requirements. It was built by the famous architect/sculptor Ruvari Malithamma who was well-known for his expertise in ornamentation.
Movies shot at this location:
Adhaanda Idhaanda from Arunachalam
Punnagaikku from Appu
Sundari Kannaal Oru SEdhi from Thalapathi
Velli Malare Velli Malare from Jodi
Thendral Thendral Thendral vandhu from Raasi
Kanaa KaangirEn from Aanandha Thandavam
Poovil Vandu from Kaadhal Oviyam
Mhare Hiwda Mein from Hum Saath Saath Hain
Nannedo Seyyamaaku from Simhadri
May 13th, 2010 at 11:25 AM (#)
I believe the last one (Jodi) song was shot in Lalith Mahal, near Mysore
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:22 AM (#)
This temple is located in Somnathpura and not in Belur. Please update.
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:19 PM (#)
Hi Karthik, thanks very much for pointing out the glaring mistake. So, we got confused between the temples by the same name in Belur and Somanathapura. We have updated the post to reflect the correct location. The Chennakesava Temple in Belur deserves a separate post on its own, as some movies have been shot there as well.