Shri Keerthi Narayana Temple
ಶ್ರೀ ಕೀರ್ತಿನಾರಾಯಣ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಾಲಯ
Lakshmi Narayana Swamy · Talakadu, Karnataka
Ancient
About the temple
One of the five illustrious Pancha Narayana temples consecrated simultaneously by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 CE after winning the title "Talakadugonda"; miraculously excavated from beneath 30 feet of sand dunes by the ASI. Traditional belief: Bestows victory in endeavors (Keerthi / Fame), success in examinations and career, removal of financial distress, and family prosperity.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:30 – 18:30
- Established
- 1117
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
Deity
Lakshmi Narayana SwamyGanesha FamilyGaruda AlwarAshta Lakshmi
- Deity form
- Magnificent 9-foot tall monolithic black soapstone vigraha of Lord Narayana in standing posture holding Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma, radiating imperial glory (Keerthi)
- Religious tradition
- Vaikhanasa / Pancharatra Agamic Tradition established by Sri Ramanujacharya
- Sanskrit name
- श्री कीर्तिनारायण मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Talakadu Keerthi Narayana Gudi, Vishnuvardhana Keerthi Narayana Temple, Sand-excavated Hoysala Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:30 AM - 06:30 PM
- Break timings
- Open continuously during daylight hours
- Special days
- Vaikunta Ekadashi, Rathotsava: 05:00 AM - 08:30 PM
- Festival timings
- Open till 08:30 PM on Vaikunta Ekadashi
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:30 AM
- Midday aarti
- 12:00 PM
- Evening aarti
- 06:30 PM
- Special aarti days
- Saturdays, Ekadashi, Gokulashtami, Vaikunta Ekadashi
- Ritual schedule
- Suprabhatam, Thiruvaradhana, Thulasi Archana, Sahasranamarchana, Mangalarati by Sri Vaishnava Archakas
- Pooja timings
- 07:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 04:30 PM - 06:15 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM (Special Saturday Abhishekam)
- Special poojas
- Available
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Hoysala Dynasty (consecrated by Emperor Vishnuvardhana following his historic victory at Talakadu)
- Architect / builder
- Master sculptors of the royal Hoysala Ruvari guild
- Construction materials
- Chloritic schist (soapstone) and dark granite masonry
- Historical events
- Built alongside Belur Chennakesava temple in 1117 CE; King Vishnuvardhana assumed the glorious imperial title "Talakadugonda" (Conqueror of Talakadu)
- Renovations
- Miraculously excavated and re-assembled piece-by-piece from under deep sand dunes by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 2000s
- Archaeological importance
- Centrally Protected Monument of National Importance (ASI Monument No. N-KA-B22)
- Legends
- Sri Ramanujacharya blessed King Vishnuvardhana to establish five cosmic shrines of Lord Narayana to protect the borders of the Hoysala realm
- Inscriptions
- Extensive Kannada stone inscriptions on the temple outer wall recording Vishnuvardhana’s conquest and generous land endowments
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 1117 CE with 13th Century CE additions
- Structure
- Excavated stone temple complex standing on an elevated star-shaped jagati with sanctum, sukhanasi, closed navaranga, and large courtyard
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Stepped stone Vimana tower above the sanctum reconstructed by ASI using original architectural members
- Mandapa
- Pillared Navaranga hall supported by richly turned lathe-polished soapstone pillars with carved ceiling domes
- Sculptural features
- Colossal 9-foot high standing icon of Lord Keerthi Narayana holding Shankha, Chakra, and Gada; carved Garuda; decorative dvarapalakas
- Artistic elements
- Delicately carved ceiling rosettes, makara toranas, and horizontal friezes of hamsas and creepers
- Construction technique
- Dry-stone interlocking soapstone masonry standing inside an excavated sand trench
- Unique features
- The awe-inspiring 9-foot tall monolithic Murti of Lord Narayana, standing untouched and radiant despite centuries under sand
Festivals & events
- Festival calendar
- Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi, Chaitra Rathotsava
- Special celebration days
- Every Saturday, Shukla Ekadashi
- Cultural events
- Devotional bhajans and classical Carnatic music recitals during festival days
- Annual events
- Keerthi Narayana Swamy annual Rathotsavam
- Peak crowd season
- October to February
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning hours on mid-week non-festival days to experience a peaceful darshan atmosphere
- Parking capacity
- 100+ Vehicles
- Parking fees
- Approx. 20-50 INR
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, Hundi
- Prasadam
- Vibhuti/Kumkum.