The temple, which is also known as Chennakeshava Temple, was completed in 1268. It took more than 50 years to construct and is dedicated to Vishnu. It is comprised of more than 5,000 pieces of sculpture including renditions from the Kama Suta, incarnations of the gods, animals, and symbols.

The ornate temple is an example of Hoysala architecture. The main temple stands at the center of a courtyard on a high star-shaped platform with three symmetrical sanctums, or garbha-griha.