The sculpture of Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura is considered one of the finest examples of Hoysala art and architecture. Almost all the features of Hoysala sculpture and architecture are incorporated within the temple building. According to historical facts the temple was consecrated in 1268 AD during the reign of King Narasimha III.

Chennakesava Temple has been carved out of soapstone with high, concrete walls. The main reasons behind this temple being considered the finest example of Hoysala architecture are its symmetrical structure, intricate sculptures and the prominent shrine and sub-shrines. The entrance of the temple is through a porch that has been designed with lathe turned pillars. According to historical data this temple was built by the architect and sculptor, Ruvari Malithamma.

The temple building stands on a high plinth with vimanas and their superstructures. The Chennakesava Temple is considered, a trikuta or triple shrined. The vimanas here have entrances that connect them to the main rectangular hall or mandapa. These entrances or vestibules have their own towers too. These are known as sukanasi. However, due to their short heights they appear almost as low extensions of the primary superstructure on the shrine. Such detailed architecture has helped this Hoysala temple to earn popularity.

The sculptures that adorn the outer walls of the three shrines are worth checking out. The main temple rests on the jagati or a platform. This shrine has three vimanas that are connected by a closed mandapa. One of the main features of Hoysala sculpture is that the lintel on the mandapa is generally decorated with intricate sculptures. Here too this feature is visible. Along the side of the temple there is a hall with lathe turned pillars. This spectacular hall adds to the beauty of the Chennakesava Temple.

Flights of stairs connect the wide jagati and the mandapa. The vimana is the place where the main deity resides and it is the jagati where the devotees offer their prayers. The parikrama or the ritual of clockwise circumambulation is done here before entering the temple hall. The hall has 16 bays. As far as the shape of the vimana is concerned it is star shaped and hence the three shrines have 16 pointed stellate. The towers, too, follow the same pattern.

Although the design of the vimana is quite simple but the sculptures of the outer walls of Chennakesava Temple are ornamented with figures and stone carvings. Perforated windows and relief friezes have been widely used to decorate the exterior of the temple. The sculptures are detailed and intricately carved out of the hard stone.

The sculpture of Chennakesava Temple is predicted to be a specimen of later Hoysala style because of certain architectural elements. For instance this temple has two eaves that run around it. The upper eave appears where the tower meets the shrine wall and the lower eave is to be found about one metre below the upper one. The gap between the two eaves has been filled with the help of the aedicule or decorative miniature towers. Decorative panels comprising Hindu deities and their attendants have been sculpted below the lower eaves. All is all there are almost 200 such panels. What follows below the panels six horizontal uniform ornate friezes. At the juncture where the jagati meets the mandapa wall these friezes begin. The six mouldings have been divided into two sections. One part bears the sculpted images of elephants, horsemen and procession. These have been accompanied by foliage sculpture as well. The upper sections of the friezes have been decorated with episodes from Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata and Puranas. These scenes have been etched out on stone in details. Makara, an imaginary beast and hansas (swans) are recurring motifs of Chennakesava Temple sculpture. While Ramayana is depicted on the south wall, Mahabharata appears on the north side. The final effect of the decorative towers and friezes add to the brilliance of its architecture.

It is the lathe turned pillar, which support the ceiling of the temple. The ceiling here is dome shaped and is decorated with intricate designs. Multi-petalled lotuses, banana bud motifs, stepped ponds and ananta knots (symbol for eternity) are part of these designs. Other sculptures of Chennakesava Temple are the images of the royal family riding opulently decorated chariots, camel drawn chariots, soldiers and subjects riding horses, dancers, musicians and hunters heading for hunt with bows, arrows and their dogs. There are sculptures of palaces of kings looked after by armed guards; sculpted images of jewellery like pendants, necklaces, waistbands and rings and women with different hair styles.

Several names of artisans have been discovered that establish the fact that the Hoysala Empire hired both local as well as artists from outside the empire to build this temple.

Some of the names of these artisans are Ruvari Mallithamma, Masanithamma, Chameya, Rameya, Chaudeya, Nanjeya (locals) and Pallavachari and Cholavachari (Tamil dynasty).

There are three shrines at the Chennakesava Temple dedicated to Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala. Thus it can be deduced that this Hoysala temple was strictly a Vaishnava temple.