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Mysterious temples of Somnathpur & Talakadu

TALAKAD & SOMNATPUR

Temple mysteries, a Queen's curse and a UNESCO world heritage site!

Rs6500/person onwards
Private tour by car 10 Hours Day trip from Bangalore

UNESCO World Heritage site

Explore the 800 year old World heritage site at Somnathpur and Talakadu, a town with 5 spectacular temples excavated from the sand. At Somnathpur, the highlight is the 13th century temple of Chennakesava built in soapstone and on a star shaped pedestal. It features exquisite sculptures of dancers with their noses cut, mysteriously. We will unravel the mystery of the Queen’s curse and associated geological anomalies at Talakadu featuring 5 temples excavated from sand.

Curse of Talakadu temple

Talakadu used to be a flourishing town with more than 30 temples during ancient times. The legendary Queen’s curse buried the entire town with sand dunes. We will visit Vaidyanatheswara temple, one of the 5 temples excavated from the sands of Talakadu. We will explore this granite structure built in the 14th century by Chola Kings and dedicated to Lord Shiva. We will also visit Pataleshwara Shiva temple where the Lingam is supposed to change colors through the day from red, black and white!

Somnathpura temple sculptures

Somnathpur is famous for the magnificent Chennakesava temple and is a UNESCO world heritage site. This temple was built in 1268 by Somanatha, a general of King Narasimha III. We will explore the three shrines and three wonderfully carved peaks with a common Mandapa. Time is well spent at Somnathpur temple appreciating the 16 different ceilings, each depicting a different stage of a blooming banana flower, the central wall space adorned with images of deities with jewelry, bangles, crowns and anklets.

Guided Tour

Somnathpura & Talakadu tour is a guided tour to help guests unravel the mysteries behind the anomalies at Talakadu. Our guide will also help appreciate the spectacular sculptures at Somnathpura.

Private Tour

A private tour ensures that we are able to focus all our attention on you and adjust the pace of the Somnathpura & Talakadu tour according to your interests. Pick and drop from Bangalore hotel in an airconditioned vehicle is included.

Strenghening local community

Our company is helping the local community of these villages by training & employing local guides. This initiative is to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.

Do Somnathpur & Talakad sound compelling?
custom logoFive Senses Tours, Bangalore
Five Senses Tours, Bangalore
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Pricing chart

4+ persons
Rs6500/person
  • Pick & drop
  • Travel by Innova
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
2-3 persons
Rs8000/person
  • Pick & drop
  • Travel by sedan
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
Single person
Rs12000
  • Pick & drop
  • Travel by sedan
  • Guide
  • Entrance charges
  • South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch

Trip Itinerary

Appreciate Hoysala architecture and unravel the mystery of a cursed town

7:30 AM - Hotel pick up
Somnathpura
We will explore the 13th century Hoysala style temple of Chennakesava on a star shaped pedestal. .
Talakadu
We will walk through the sand dune excavated temples of Vaisyanatheswara, Pataleswara as well as the Keertinarayanan temple.
5:30PM- Hotel drop

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