Cycling to Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Distance to starting location from Bangalore: ~140 km
Starting location: Melukote
Cycling distance: ~50 kms
Destination: Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu
Most memorable trip was the best guide ever in my journey so far, he was really interested and passionate in temple, architecture and mythology.
Road Condition: Road condition is really good. Downhill all the way from Melukote via reserved forest and uphill on return. Barely any traffic all the way till KR Pet (2 kms to destination).

Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Before Start of Bicycle Ride

Though KSRTC has good connectivity across Karnataka, unfortunately there are no buses to Melukote like Rajahamsa or Airavat/Volvo.

So decided to go by car. Melukote is one of the temple towns frequented by Vaishnavites with beautiful temples of Sri. Cheluvanarayana and Sr. Yoga Narasimha.

Another best kept secret of Melukote is the Puliyogate (Tamarind rice) made by Iyengers and the best place to have Puloyogare is Subbanna Mess. Try Bellada (Jaggery) Pongal too. For a change, had Puliyogare and took the Pongal for the lunch.

On the Way

Route from Melukote is downhill and within few kilometers, will have to cross the Melukote Wildlife sanctuary/Wolf reserve. Road is very secluded and no shops or support during the stretch with curvy road.

Before reaching Hosaholalu, will have to pass by KR Pet city center. Though there was traffic, it was not hard and it was only for about 2-3 kms

At the Destination Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

With slight rain on the way, reached the destination and met a person in-charge form ASI (Archeological survey of India). He mentioned, there was a person in the village who is an expert guide and can help understand the history and sculptures.

Told the ASI person to call the guide, took about 10 mins and Mahadev showed up at the temple.

Mahadev is the best guide I have seen at any temple I have visited so far (15 till date) . He was extremely passionate and was overwhelmingly enthusiastic to explain every idol and every sculpture around the temple.

As any Hoysala temple, fourth layer from the base will have Idols from Hindu Epic (Ramayana, Mahabharatha). Below the layer are Elephants, Horses and Lions and above are Makara and Hamsa. Mahadev explained each idol on the 4th layer which started with Ramayana till the half of the temple and said it would take him 1000 words to explain Ramayana and after the story starts of Mahabharata and what would take another 1000 words to explain, so in total 2000 words and the passion with which he explained each idol of size probably 8x8 inches were simply superb.

In this own words Mahadav said, "I have been working for more than 20 years and all I need is visitors who are interested in stories and I would be glad to explain". One interested thing he mentioned as "The sculptures are more than gold for him". Hats off... Call and reach him at this mobile number +91 9449918863 to get immersed into the stories scripted in stone. Took more than 2 hours for a circle of temple and to explain just the 4th layer of Hindu epic, so plan to stay at the temple for at least 4 hours.

Check this long video for the story of Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

Rear part of the temple is Hoysala style and the front part is constructed later during the Vijayanagar kingdom.

Per guide, the font part was constructed to prevent the invaders to destroy and to look like any ordinary temple.

There are multiple small shrines on the outer wall around at center of each side with missing idol. Shrines were supposed to have Vishnu idol based on the scriptures of Jaya and Vijaya as Dwarapalakas (Gate keepers).

Trikoota Temple. With three shrines and One shikaras (gopuras). Temple has Jagathi (Platform)
Its modern Hoysala temple, with exquisite carvings and six layers (Elephant, Horse, Lions, Idols from Epics, Makara and Hamsa) idols all around.
Biggest gopura on the sanctum sanctorum of Sri. Lakshminarayana has mesmerizing carvings and "Missing" the Hoysala icon of Sala fighting the Lion.
Look for exquisite idols of

Standing Narasimha
Chamundeshwari
Vamana
Vishnu's Dashavatara

Deities and brief history

Sri. Narashimha Swamy.
Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu
The temple was supposed to be built by King Vira Someshwara of the Hoysala Empire in 1250 C.E. Per wikipedia, since there are no Shashana or inscription stone and its contemporary to other Hoysala temples, its assumed to be built in 13th Century.

The three shrines are of

1. Sri. Lakshminaraya Swamy

2. Sri. Venugopala Swamy and

3. Sri. Narasimha Swamy.

After calling multiple times, the priest came to the temple and opened the door to see inside. Priest lives close by and locals can guide to their home.

Inside temple has lathe pillars and kept very clean and everyday puja is performed.

Sri. Venugopala Swamy
Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

Ride Details:

Date: 8th Sep 2023 (Friday)
Weather: Mostly Cloudy and Occasional rain, max 27 °C

Start Time: 10:30 AM

End Time: 4:45 PM

Ride Time: 3H 37M

Overall Rating for Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu

5 out of 5

5: Excellent - Plan your ride ASAP
4: Must Try - Add to your bucket list
3: Average - If you are close by then visit
2: Unrewarding - Look for another destination
1: Don't take a chance - Not worth it

Pictured and Videos from Sri. Lakshminarayana Temple, Hosaholalu