The Chennakesava temple is located in Hullekere village of Araseikere taluk, built in 1163 A.D. by King Narasimha I of the Hoysala Empire. Built in The temple has all the basic features of Hoysala construction. The basic building material is soapstone.
Chennakesava Temple Hullekere is 184.3 km from Bangalore, and 40.0 km from Hassan. It is 38.2 km from Hassan railway station.
As a single vimana gopuram or temple shikhara is constructed, it has become a unitary project. The entrance to the temple is through an open pillared hall or mukhamantapa followed by a covered navaranga mandapa (sukhanasi) followed by the sanctum sanctorum. The porch consists of canopies supported by half pillars and parapets on both sides. The decoration on the parapet walls, ceiling, lintel pillars above the entrance is remarkable.
The inner walls of the shrine are square and plain, while the outer walls have numerous figure figurines and projections used for decoration, including kirtimukhas, miniature ornamental towers, deities in reliefs and half pilasters. A covered hall connects to the sanctum sanctorum (sukhanasi) through a mantapa. A Mantapa is also a gopuram which looks like a low projection of a tower over a shrine. The roof of the covered hall is supported by four lathe-turned pillars, which divide the ceiling into nine beautifully decorated niches.
At the top of the main tower is the Kalash, a decorative water pot-like structure standing on a large ornate dome. This dome is the largest sculpture in the temple. The tower above the mandapa has a lion, the warrior emblem of the Hoysala dynasty.