Somnathpur temple tour from Bangalore: UNESCO site temples

Carved dancers with severed noses and a queen's curse buried in sand dunes

A full-day tour from Bangalore to two extraordinary heritage sites: the 13th-century Chennakesava temple at Somnathpur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site covered entirely in carved sculpture, and Talakadu, where five temples have been excavated from sand dunes after a 17th-century curse. You travel in a private car with an English-speaking guide, explore both sites on foot and by bullock cart, and lunch is included. Hotel or airport pickup is available. Minimum age is 18.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Somnathpur and Talakadu temples

• Hotel pick up at 7:30 am
• Drive 3 hours to Talakadu
• Visit Vaidyanatheswara temple
• Explore Pataleshwara Shiva temple
• Visit Somnathpur Chennakesava temple
• Explore Keertinarayana temple

The experience

The Chennakesava temple at Somnathpur stands on a star-shaped platform, its exterior carved entirely with figures: dancers, deities draped in jewellery and crowns, each detail cut into stone by Hoysala craftsmen in 1268. Your guide walks you through the three shrines and three carved peaks, then spends time on the 16 different ceiling panels, each one depicting a different stage of a blooming banana flower. The central walls hold images of gods adorned with bangles and anklets. Every dancer on the walls has her nose cut off. A mystery your guide will explain as you move through the temple.

The drive to Talakadu takes three hours across 130 kilometres. Once a thriving town of more than 30 temples, Talakadu was buried under sand dunes after a queen cursed it in the 17th century. Five temples have since been excavated. You explore them partly on foot and partly by bullock cart through the dunes. Vaidyanatheswara temple, built in the 14th century by Chola kings and dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a granite structure carved with the same precision as Somnathpur. At Pataleshwara Shiva temple, the lingam is said to change colour through the day, from red to black to white. The two hours spent moving between these temples through the sand gives the landscape itself as much weight as the structures.

The day runs nine hours total, including the drive, exploration at both sites and a vegetarian South Indian lunch. Pickup happens at 7:30 am from your Bangalore hotel or airport (depending on which option you choose). You'll need to remove footwear before entering temples, so slip-ons or slippers that come off easily are practical. Dress code requires knees and shoulders covered for both men and women. No shorts or sleeveless tops are permitted.

What’s included

• Private car pickup from your Bangalore hotel or airport.
• English-speaking cultural guide throughout the day.
• entry fees to both Somnathpur and Talakadu temples.
• vegetarian South Indian lunch.
• bullock cart ride through the Talakadu sand dunes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by 5 Senses Walks

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to compare a fully intact 13th-century temple with ones excavated from sand. Your guide explains why the carvings are damaged and how the curse buried an entire town, rather than leaving you to piece together the history yourself.

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Top questions

What is the Chennakesava temple at Somnathpur?

The Chennakesava temple is a 13th-century structure built in 1268 by a general of King Narasimha III and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands on a star-shaped platform with its entire exterior covered in carved sculpture: dancers, deities, and intricate ceiling panels, each ceiling depicting a different stage of a blooming banana flower.

Why do the carved dancers at Somnathpur have their noses cut off?

The guide explains this mystery as part of the tour, unraveling the historical reason behind the damage to the carved figures across the temple walls.

What happened to Talakadu and why are temples buried in sand?

Talakadu was once a thriving town with more than 30 temples until a queen cursed it in the 17th century, and sand dunes buried the entire settlement. Five temples have since been excavated from the sand, including Vaidyanatheswara and Pataleshwara temples, which you visit during the tour.

How do I get between the temples at Talakadu?

You explore the excavated temples partly on foot and partly by bullock cart, traveling through the sand dunes between sites over the course of about two hours.

What should I wear and bring for this tour?

Wear slip-on shoes or slippers that can be easily removed, since footwear must be taken off before entering temples. Dress code requires knees and shoulders to be covered for both men and women. No shorts or sleeveless tops are allowed. Bring a hat or sunscreen for the outdoor portions and the bullock cart ride.