Temple exterior
Adhering to the Hoysala style of architecture, the Keshava temple stands on a star-shaped stone platform, known as Jagati. The stone exterior wall surrounding the temple is ornately sculpted with numerous reliefs and idols. As can be seen from images 1 and 2 above, just below the raised platform has sculptures of elephants facing outwards at the angles. Besides the elephants, there are sculptures of Vishnu and other deities leaning against the platform. Some of these sculptures are now missing.
Each of the three sanctums is surmounted by a tower with multiple levels of densely carved reliefs. The outer wall of the temple has three sections:
1) Base – Six bands of continuously carved friezes
a. elephants
b. horsemen
c. scroll work
d. scenes from scriptures
e. pilasters with small lions in between
f. neatly ornamented bands
2) Middle – Sculptural reliefs. It appears as though each sculpture is within a shrine.
3) Top – Decorative carvings just below the eaves. typically craved like the tower of a shrine.
Attached to the outer wall are pillars with sculptural reliefs of gods and goddesses and other deities and do not appear to be carved in any particular order or to follow any scriptural story.
Since this is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, most of the reliefs are related to Vishnu. Some are of Vishnu himself and others are of Vishnu's incarnations.
Iconography of Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is typically depicted as a man with four arms, each holding one of the following four objects:
Shanka : It is a conch shell named Panchajanya that emerged as a by-product during the Samudra Manthana. When blown, it produces giant primeval sound.
Chakra: It is a disc-like weapon named Sudarshana (which means a good view). The disc has serrated edges. When fired, it spins and moves with a rapid force to destroy evil and then returns to Vishnu.
Gada: It is a mace named Kaumodaki.
Padma: It is a sacred lotus flower.
Vishnu with six arms
Alongside the signature objects carried by Vishnu, shanka (conch), and padma (lotus), the sculpture in this relief is holding a beautifully carved bow and an arrow with his left and right hands, respectively. The two missing hands at the bottom likely carried his other signature objects, chakra and gadā. Or, it could be a sculpture with only six arms.
Two hands in the front do not carry any objects. They do, however, make specific hand gestures, known as mudras. In Hinduism and Buddhism, each mudra has a name and meaning and symbolizes the state of mind and intentions of the person making it.
Vishnu’s right hand is in Abhaya Mudra and left is in Varada Mudra (a.k.a Varada Mudra). According to
Citing from the article, The Secret Language of Hands in Indian Iconography, "Abhaya Mudra is the No Fear Mudra. A gesture familiar from statues of the Buddha, it's also used by the fearsome Hindu goddess Durga as she looks out at you while riding a tiger. It’s commonly employed as well in modern daily life—to calm a crowd, or an impatient traveler"
"Varada Mudra is the Giving Mudra - You’ll often see this in statues of the standing Buddha as well as in calendar-art prints of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, which are often posted by the cash box in Indian shops."
As with the other sculptures, Vishnu is standing on a lotus pedestal accompanied by two small female figures located at the bottom.
Vishnu seated on Adishesha
Here Vishnu is seated on the coils of the serpent Adishesha, a seven-headed mythical serpent. This beautifully carved sculptural relief is mounted on the outer wall surrounding the south garbhagriha.
Adishesha is known by many names, including Shesha, Sheshanaga, and Ananta. Hidden in these names are two interesting mathematical concepts, remainder and infinity. In Sanskrit, shesha means the one that remains (i.e., remainder), and ananta means endless (i.e., infinity). In other words, Shesha will prevail even after the end of the universe.
Lakshmi-Narayana
The sculptural reliefs below depict the deity Lakshmi-Narayana. Narayana is another name for Lord Vishnu and he is present here with his consort Lakshmi. In the first relief, Garuda, the half-human and half-bird creature carries Lakshminarayana with his left hand. Garuda is dressed in intricate jewelry replete with a crown. The second relief mounted on the outer wall of the north garbhagriha is an image of Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi on his lap. As per the name inscribed, the sculptor of this image is Mallitamma, one of the prominent artisans of the Hoysala period.
The second relief which is mounted on the outer wall of the northern sanctum is an image of Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi on his lap. As per the name inscribed, the sculptor of this image is Mallitamma, one of the prominent artisans of the Hoysala period.
The panels of Dashavatara
DashavataraDashavataradaśaavatāra
Continue: Temple interior and the sanctum