Yesterday I went to this architecural marvel called Somnathpur, in Karnataka. Its pretty close to Mysore. After that went to Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary for bird watching. There werent that many birds whose photograph I could have taken without permission, but there were many birds whose photograph I couldnt take without their permission 
Rubic_Cube was the one who suggested me this place, when I wanted to go on a long drive. He had been there during October, and said its really amazing. Check out his post for detailed info on Somnathpur.
P.S. Click on thumbnails for better resolution pictures
on 13 Feb 2006 at 11:29 am # Rubic_Cube
most welcomu, ferro! neat pics!!
on 13 Feb 2006 at 11:38 am # Rubic_Cube
my favorite pics from the lot (in no specific ranking)…
1. pillars and shadows
2. light entering the door in the distance
3. roof picture
4. the window.. light outside, entering through the gaps
5. the pic where u r standing.. if only u had not stood there, it would be my top favorite!
on 13 Feb 2006 at 12:38 pm # incredibly me
Good shots ferro! I have added this one to the list of places to visit.
on 13 Feb 2006 at 1:01 pm # visithra
nice nice - been wanting to visit that place
on 13 Feb 2006 at 1:39 pm # rajesh
hi prabhu,
yes i havent read all your archives, if you had a balanced view on things, then fine. sorry for the earlier comment
on 13 Feb 2006 at 1:44 pm # Srivat
Ferrari,
Nice pics.I loved all of them more specifically the sculptures and pillars look fantastic.Is this temple maintained by ASI.
on 13 Feb 2006 at 3:46 pm # nithya
awesome pics! was never aware of this place, cudv gone when I had gone to Mysore and Ranganthittu..:(((
i love that pic of the wheel… and one other statue with dim lighting was fantastic too..:)
on 13 Feb 2006 at 9:19 pm # ramya
hey,
i’ve been to ranganathittu too! btw, that’s how they say it locally. however, i bothered only with one category of birds.
i like your temple pics… especially the columns and play of light..,
cheers!
on 13 Feb 2006 at 10:10 pm # sk
WOW!!!
Supper pics. I mean, great photography skills.!!
on 14 Feb 2006 at 3:55 am # capriciously_me
annikkaaga foto showings on the blog-a?
on 14 Feb 2006 at 8:28 am # Rubic_Cube
@ nithya
that is not a wheel. it is the roof. almost every section of the roof inside the keshava temple has been carved in a different fashion. all of them have a banana flower. yep! you can easily notice the different parts of the banana flower - its whorls, its stamens, its petals etc. and this flower is what you see at the center of the roof. intricate ornate patterns are carved around the flower. at the roof that you find immediately upon entering to the temple, you will find small tiny idols of Gods of the navagrahas. for another intricate pattern carved like a satin ribbon, chk my post. ferrari has linked it in his post.
on 14 Feb 2006 at 10:14 am # Nandu
U never told me u had been to Somnathpur
on 14 Feb 2006 at 10:50 am # My Name is Billa
Hope you had nice birde watching!
on 14 Feb 2006 at 11:09 am # kris
nice fotos…
machan, i’ve tagged you…
on 14 Feb 2006 at 11:15 am # WA
Ferro, Capriyoda anniya kootittu poleeyaa Somanathpurkku?
on 14 Feb 2006 at 6:05 pm # F e r r a r i
RC,
Thanks da
incredibly me,
Do visit. You will really enjoy it!
visithra,
rajesh,
Cool
Srivat,
Yes it is maintained by ASI. And there is no worship and all here. Only the structure remains!
nithya,
As RC said, it isnt a wheel. Its the carving you find in the roof. And this place isnt that far from bangalore. You can always make it!
Ramya,
Thanks. And yeah. Cheers
on 14 Feb 2006 at 6:07 pm # F e r r a r i
sk,
Thanks
Capri and WA,
Anni??
Nandu,
Nee inga illaye. Nee ennai vittutu madras poitte
Billa,
Ya
kris,
En blog la top right la choodu 
Maama. I dont take this tag thingy. Am allergic to it
on 14 Feb 2006 at 7:39 pm # Rubic_Cube
a vague thought crossed my mind… if your photo can make a roof look like a wheel… well.. hummm….
jus kiddin’
on 14 Feb 2006 at 7:48 pm # Krithika
Reminds me of Belur and Halebidu. Awesome sculptures.
on 15 Feb 2006 at 6:14 pm # Sushma Prabhu
Belur , Halebid and Somanathpur are all part of HOYSALA temples.
The Hoysala temples in Karnataka are very finely carved because they are made of soapstone which is very soft when it comes out of the ground and hardens on contact with the air.
At the Somnathpur temple, the outer walls are decorated with a series of star-shaped folds. The entire surface is covered with carved plaques of stone. The walls above the plinth are also carved with exquisite figures of gods and goddesses, taken from the Hindu puranas, and meticulously arranged in vertical panels.
The Keshava temple at Somnathpur is said to have been built by a high ranking officer who served under the Hoysala kings in 12th century A.D. The most characteristic feature of this temple is its 16 different ceilings, each depicting a different stage of a blooming plantain. Small and large pieces of finely chiseled stone chips are set in complicated patterns, deftly arranged together.
The Hoysala dynasty ruled in the southern Deccan from about 1006 to about 1346. Originally from the hills northwest of Dorasamudra (modern Halebid), which became their capital about 1060, they were part of the mix of warring Hindu families that made southern Indian history so colorful. In fact, they were for a long time vassals of the Chalukyas, at least until one of their more accomplished leaders, Bittiga (also known as Vishnuvardhana) set a separate course for his people. The outstanding temples of their two great cities, Belur and Halebid, were built during his tenure. The decline of the Hoysala reign saw the rise of the Vijayanagar kingdom.
on 15 Feb 2006 at 8:01 pm # Rubic_Cube
@ Sushma Prabhu:
Thanks. That was very informative. I have been to all the 3 temples and can corroborate every word of yours. I had done a lot of reading before visiting each of these temples. But you seem to have more information.
on 17 Feb 2006 at 8:26 pm # ezee123
Nice shots. Now i have visited the temple.
By a strange twist of fate, I have missed visiting Somnathpur umpteen number of times.
Belur and Halebidu - yes
Ranganthittu is a delightful place. Was there in January 2006 and took some pictures of birds. Some shots are there at my LJ blog.
on 21 Feb 2006 at 2:35 pm # Vijay
Kool place buddy. I would want to go there soon. Thanks for the post. Got to know this place from your blog
And hey, You are really good at photography man !! Way to go !!