and the Keshava Temple in Somanathapura. The Hoysala dynasty, which governed Karnataka from the 10th to the 14th centuries, initially served as regional administrators under the Western Chalukyas.

While his temple visits drew criticism from a section of people during the Gujarat polls as “soft Hindutva”, his itinerary for the Karnataka polls appears to be attempting a balance to avert this.

Surrounded by beautifully landscaped surroundings in Karnataka ... Somanathapura, situated approximately 35 kilometres from Mysore, is among the famous Chennakesava Temple. Constructed in the ...