Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Hosaholalu is a small village just 2 kms away from KR Pet in Mandya district. By road, this place is 50 kms from Mysore and 160 kms from Bangalore.

Lakshminarayana Temple here is one of the finest example of Hoysala architecture. This temple at a later stage has additions from Vijaynagar style of temple building. Though the date of construction is unknown, historians believe this temple to be built in the middle of 13th century, taking into consideration the style of architecture. 

It is a Trikootachala or a three shrined temple built on a star-shaped, raised platform using soapstone. On the platform the temple has a pillared hall in the center and the three shrines around it. 

The main shrine containing the idol of Lakshminarayana is the only one that has a tower. The tower on the central sanctum  is a five-stepped tower that is intricately carved.

The base of the temple has the six layers of decorative bands that comprise of swans, elephants, horse riders, leafy scrolls, various gods and goddesses and scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

The mid section of the temple is richly decorated with sculptures of various Gods, There are totally 120 sculptural images and being a Lord Vishnu temple there are 32 images of him in various forms.  

Apart from this there are also dancing Saraswathi, Brahma, Ganapathi, dancers, musicians and many other deities. I could not see the beautifully carved interiors as I was not open when I visited there.