The
Chennakesava Temple (also spelt
Chennakeshava) located at
Somanathapura is one of the finest examples of
Hoysala architecture. The temple was built by Soma, a
Dandanayaka (
lit, "commander") in 1268 C.E. under Hoysala king
Narasimha III, when the
Hoysala Empire was the major power in South India.