Narasimha
Chennakeshava Temple, Belur
The panel sculptures at Chennakeshava (early 12th century) exhibit an earlier stage in Hoysala artistic development than the sculptures at Somnathpur (13th century) or Halebid (mid-12th century).
This vigorous sculpture portrays the rage of the man-lion, with adoring Garuda at photo left. Chennakeshava means "beautiful god," a form of Vishnu; the shrine images are of this god, while the panel sculptures include both Vaishnava and Shaiva images.
