History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Someshwar Temple, Kolar, Karnataka, India
Someshwar Temple, more than 1000 years old architecture marvel, located in heart of historical city Kolar at just 65 km away from Bangalore is quite famous temple of surrounding region. Someshwar temple some time spelled as Someshvara or Somesvara is dedicated to Lord Someshwar, the name of Lord Shiva and located near the ancient Kolaramma Temple of goddess Parvati. This ancient Someshwar Temple was built during the rule of Chola dynasty in 11th century and later on expanded and renovated during the great Vijayanagar Empire in 14th century. This temple is excellent example Vijayanagara style of architecture. It is said that this temple is resembles that of the Someshvara temple in Bangalore but its more rich in carving and other structure. Someshwar temple is currently protected site by the Archaeological Survey of India as a monument of national importance.
The Dravidian architecture of temple where each and every structure in premise definitely impressed you. Temple campus has majestic Gopuram – entrance gate, Vijaya Sthambha, central sanctum - Garbhagriha, Kalyana Mandapa- wedding hall, heavy prakara walls, Mukha Mandapa, Vasantha Mandapa – marriage stage etc.
Every structures are unique and excellent in all the architecture measure, here Kaylana Mantapa – marriage hall is designed very beautifully from granite. It is located in south west corner of temple premise having 64 -16 sided pillars carved with several stories, horses and men. These carving pillars are combination of Chinese, European and Thai style architecture. Temple premise is covered by heavy wall - prakara and Vijayanagar inscription are found on wall of yagashala. Temple has also Vijaynagar style stepped tank called Kalyani.
Once you visit here you can witness of beauty of carved doorway, columns, pillars, and ceiling connected to the Mahadwara, Images of parrot, a lady holding choury nad creepers, lotus, elephants, kalasa, dancing statue etc. Once you enter through the Gopuram and Mahadwara, you can see the Mukhamantap -Open Hall which leads to the Navaranga - Inner Hall, which further connects to the Garbhagriha -Sanctum-Sanctorum.
The inner mantapa has eight beautiful statues along with other intricate carvings of Kumbha Kalasa, Creepers, Flora, Banana Blossoms, Lion, Elephants, Bull, Lord Venkateshwara, Lord Venugopala, Lord Anjaneya, Goddess Lakshmi, Sri Ramanujacharya and many more. Along with the main shrine, there is another shrine of the Mother Goddess, Parvathi located in temple premise where you can see another beautiful idol of Nandi.
How to Reach Someshwar temple, Kolar, One of important city of Karnataka, India
Someshwar temple is located in heart of city Kolar. As Kolar is one of the important historical city near Bangalore in Kolar district in state of Karnataka and home to several ancient temple. Thus, it is easily accessible via road, rail and air network. Kolar has major railway station from where you can get train to all major station of India. You can get government and private vehicle from nearby cities to reach here by road. You can reach here via air connectivity easily as Bangalore airport is at just 65 km from Kolar. City is located at just 66 km from Bangalore, 150 km from Vellore, 147 km from Hogenakkal waterfalls and 32 km from Kolar Gold Fields