Cycling to Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaga and 3 Temples in Turuvekere

Starting point from Bangalore: ~105 km
Starting location Mayasandra
Cycling distance: 50 kms
Destination Thandaga, Sri Chennakeshava swamy temple and Turuvekere, Chennkeshava, Moole Shakara and Gangadareshwara Temples
Road Condition: Overall road condition is good. Mayasandra to Thandaga is serene going though many villages and hardly any traffic. Thandaga to Turuvekere is state highway.

Before Start of Bicycle Ride

Bhuvaneswari, Chennakeshava Temple, Tandaaga

Took about 2 months break from cycling to prepare and trained for the top running event in Bangalore TCS 10k. This was my 7th time running in TCS10k and finished with timing of 56 minutes. Though its not my best timing was great to participate in a mega run after break of 3 years due to cancellation of events in 2020, 2021 and conflict with trek schedule in 2022, Overall very happy with the run and glad to be back to cycling.

Now onwards will continue with the list of destinations in sequence. Check the destination list in the right panel of this blog. Identified the start point as Mayasandra as it will help me to cycle for about 50 kms. There was no possibility of going to start point by KSRTC bus as there are no buses like Raja Hamsa or Airavatha that ply from Bangalore to Turuvekere. So loaded cycle in my car and reached the start point in about 2 hours.

On the Way

Mayasandra to Thandaga has 2 routes. First one goes via the Tiptur road/Turuvekere (Right part of the loop in the picture). This is mainly a state highway with decent traffic.

So chose to take the other option which is via Kadehalli. This route will take though some serene villages and hardly any traffic. While cycling felt like CM driving in Bangalore with zero traffic 🙌

At the First Destination (Thandaga, Sri Chennakeshava swamy temple)

Thandaga (ತಂಡಗ) is a small village and the temple is easy to locate. Instead of going directly to the temple, as most of the times temples are closed after morning puja, went in search of temple priest.

Could find the house of Sri. Sudharshan, priest of the temple effortlessly. His family welcomed me to the house and they were very hospitable. Sri. Sudharshan and his son came with me to the temple, opened the temple, explained the brief details of the temple and conducted Ashtothra Archana to Lord Sri. Chennakeshava.

Temple was supposed to be built in 14th Century and not sure who built it. There are some written text on the door but neither priest or I could read. Posting the picture here and if any one can interpret, would be great.

Right in front of main door, there is a sculpture of a devotee doing "Shastaang Namakara" complete devotion to the god. Found some details in this Blog, the devotee is supposed to be one of the sculptures of the temple. Divine 🙏

Eka koota Temples. One of the common style of hoysala temples with one gopura and temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Have the Hoysala style of Navaranga but not Sukanasi. There are 4 carved (Lathe) pillars
Its a small temple with carvings inside and not much all around , have a close look at the gopura, it has inquisitee carvings.

Sri Chennakeshava idol is sight to behold in the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha). Priest performed Ashthothara Puja and Mangalaarthi.

There are idols of 2 alwars in the temple and checkout the carvings on top of the Garbha Griha and on the doors. Its mesmerizing.

While doing Pradakshina (Circle) of the temple, found a abandoned beautiful Keshava Idol, could not ascertain the possibility of its left outside the temple. Please share if you know or hear about it.

Various sculptures of Venkateshwara, Narasimha, Garuda, Lakshmi Narasimha are on the outside walls of the temple

Sri. Sudharshan invited me after the puja to his house for Lunch and insisted on having something as Athithi (Guest). I am humbled with his and his wife's (Shubha S Rao's) hospitality. Please call them at 97409 54327 for any help. Got his permission to share his mobile in my blog!

At the Second Destination (Chennakeshava Temple, Turuvekere)

Turuvekere is about 7 kms from Tandaga, road is pretty good and most of the ride was on the state highway. There are 3 temples within vicinity of 1 kms.

Based on the information available in the temple premises, this temple was built in 1258 AD by Sommana. Somanna was the army commander of Hoysala King Narasimha III.

This temple was constructed by Sommana and gave it to a Brahmin named Kote Shankaradeva so that his forefathers will get divinity in Brahma Loka.

While the temple was handed over, 5 village Brahmins have singed and this occasion in scripted on one of the pillers in the temple.

Temple was closed and the gentlemen Sri Lakshmi Narayan of neighboring house got the keys and was kind to share the history of the temple.

Beautiful idol of Sri. Chennakeshava puja happens every day and there was extraordinary peace inside the temple.

This is a eka Koota temple and has carved pillars inside and check the unique 9 carvings on the ceiling of the temple in the Navaranga.

Inside the temple is dark but luckily I had carried a torch and could see the idol and the carvings. This might happen if there is power cut. Do carry a torch or headlamp when visiting these unvisited and hidden hoysala treasures.

Outside of the temple is good but not much of idols or carvings on the outside except the gopura nevertheless the peaceful atmosphere around the temple was a delight.

At the Second Destination (Sri Moole Shankareshwara Temple, Turuvekere)

Few meters away from the Sri. Chennakeshva temple is Moole Shankareshwara temple. This temple was constructed in 1258 AD during the rule of Hoysala King Narasimha III.

Temple gate was closed but member of the committee to take care of the temple Smt. Nagarathnamma lives 2 houses away in front of the temple.

She was eager to open the gate and also temple to show the temple.

Name of the temple was originally "Mula Shankaraeshwara". Mula in Kannada Language its means Aboriginal but its called "Moole Shankareshwara". Moole means Corner in Kannada.

Eka koota Temples. One of the common style of hoysala temples with one gopura and temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Have the Hoysala style of Navaranga and Sukanasi. There are 4 carved (Lathe) pillars
Its a big temple with recent changes made inside looks modern inside and outside as well. Wish Archeological department didn't make changes.

Shiva Linga, Moole Shankareshwara Temple, Turuvekere

Subhramanya, Moole Shankareshwara Temple, Turuvekere

The sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha) has Shiva Linga and opposite to it is Nandi.

An interesting thing to check out is the hole opposite to the main deity, even when the temple door is closed, devotees can see the Deity. Outside chamber has idols of Ganesha, Subhramanya and Saptha Maate.

At the Second Destination (Sri Gangadhareshwara Temple, Turuvekere)

Sri Gangadhareshwara Temple is just opposite of Moole Shankareshwara temple.

Temple is being renovated by ASI. So door was closed and the local person did not have the key to open.

This temple is believed to be build much before Hoysala. Wish after renovation, details are going to be posted in the temple.

Most inquisitee aspect of this temple is well polished Nandi. Its so well polished, looks like a mirror and reflects image of person standing opposite. Carvings are marvelous around the Face and Neck of Nandi.