Somnathpur is a small village in Mysore, in the southern state of Karnataka in India.   The village is famous for its splendid and grand Keshava temple that has been built in the Hoysala style. The temple was built in 1268 by Somnath Dhandanayaka, the commander in the army of Hoysala Narasimha III.

The Somnathpur Temple is one of the most beautiful and interesting buildings in the world. The surrounding area of the Somnathpur temple is beautified by the confluence of the rivers Kaveri and Kabini. In fact, one can feel an eternal peace and freshness in the air of Somnathpur.

The temple, famous for its elaborate and intricate sculptures, is enclosed by a walled courtyard that has a gate and a porch. It is built on an elevated star shaped platform decorated with richly carved friezes, portraying rows of cavalry, elephants, scenes from the epics and incidents from the lives of the Hoysala Kings. The rows above have sculptures of Gods mainly Vishnu in various forms. There are three shrines and three sanctums.

All the historical facts relating to the Somnathpur temple can be seen inscribed in a stone slab at the very entrance of the temple. Written in Kannada, it signifies that the reigning monarch at the time was Narasimha III (1254-91 A.D.). The brainchild behind the temple was the master architect and sculptor of Hoysala period Jakanachari.

Few accommodation facilities are available at Somnathpur, so tourists can stay in Bangalore or Mysore where plenty of accommodation facilities are available.

Somnathpur is connected by good roads with Mysore, Bangalore and other important places of Karnataka and buses are easily available.