[shishir_bn]

So had been to Somanathapura last week and what a wonderful temple it was.

I took the Maddur-Malavalli-bannur-Somanathapura road. The roads were very good. I mean nothing to cry for. The relaying or repair work was going on from Maddur to Malavalli.

But we have to be careful at 2 invisible humps where cars literally fly.

From Maddur take the malavalli road and at the Malavalli city junction take a ritgh turn and go towards bannnur. When you hit the main junction at bannur take left and this will take you to Somanathapura temple.


This is the road that goes via Malavalli.

[shishir_bn]

This is how it looks from the outside before entering the temple.



















This the inscription written about the temple.

[shishir_bn]

From the inside

[mpksuhas]

Hi Shishir, Your travelogue could not have come at a better time. I had gone to Somanathapura in 1997 March and was spellbound by the architectural beauty. Also there was hardly any other tourists when we had gone. Ours was a 18 member group and apart from that there was just another 4-5 member group. Since then even after repeated plans we were never able to visit there again.
Finally last week me and couple of my friends has planned of making a bike trip from Bangalore to Srirangapatanna any weekend this month and along with other attractions in Srirangapatanna visit Somanathapura too.
However, you have taken diversion from Maddur, when we visited last time we had taken diversion just before the bridge near Srirangapatana on Bangalore - Mysore road. Which route would you suggest?

[shishir_bn]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Which route would you suggest?

Thanks Suhas. AFAIK for me both the roads are good. But the Srirangapatna route will be with some extra kms. If you are in a bike then both the roads are good.

I Went in a XYLO, so for me small potholes don't make any difference.

Now also there are very less tourists.

[mpksuhas]

Ok, Thanks in that case may be we will plan diffrent routes for each side.
Yes, back then too felt part of the beauty of the place was due to the fact that it wasnt exploited commercially.

[shishir_bn]

Some more detailed pic...

[Anandg]

Wow. These temples and their design look exactly like ones in belur and helibidu. But here they look badly maintained. How much time you took to reach this place from Bangalore shishir?

[shishir_bn]

Originally Posted by Anandg

Wow. These temples and their design look exactly like ones in belur and helibidu. But here they look badly maintained. How much time you took to reach this place from Bangalore shishir?

Hi Anand. Thanks.

When I went there the restoration work was in progress.

I took 2 hours to reach this place from Bangalore

[shishir_bn]

Next set of pics..

[NPV]

Great Pics Shishir ! Good to know Maddur-Malavalli Road is good barring some pending work (thanks for the information). I had avoided this route when I drove to K Gudi from Bangalore in April since I heard that the road is bad.

[kannan666]

Lovely pics Shishir ! Brings back memories of my visit there a long time ago. However, we had made the visit from Srirangapatna and the road from there to Somnathpur was a nightmare back then ! Guess it must be done up since then and is in a much better condition now.

[shishir_bn]

Originally Posted by NPV

Great Pics Shishir ! Good to know Maddur-Malavalli Road is good barring some pending work (thanks for the information). I had avoided this route when I drove to K Gudi from Bangalore in April since I heard that the road is bad.

Thanks NPV, the roads upto the Malavalli town or the center is good(manageable), I don't have the info of the road which goes straight inside and touched Talakkad

Originally Posted by kannan666

Lovely pics Shishir ! Brings back memories of my visit there a long time ago. However, we had made the visit from Srirangapatna and the road from there to Somnathpur was a nightmare back then ! Guess it must be done up since then and is in a much better condition now.

Thanks Kannan. Now it is drivable I guess. I have not gone from that side.

[shishir_bn]

Some more detailed pics.

[shishir_bn]

Last set of snaps.