Bhimavaram Somarama Someswara Swamy Temple – Andhra Pradesh

Address

Bhimavaram Somarama Someswara Swamy Temple – Gandhinagar, Bhimavaram,

West Godavari district,

Andhra Pradesh 534202

Moolavar

Somarama Someswara Swamy

Amman

Sri Rajarajeswari

Introduction

Somarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the god Shiva. The temple is located in Bhimavaram of West Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance. And this Someswara Swamy temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Puranic Significance

This temple was believed to build during 3^rd century AD with big Gopuram in temple entrance. Here Lord Shiva is known as Someswara Swamy. The consort of Lord Someswara is Sri Rajarajeswari. The Sivalinga at this place is installed and established by Lord Chandra. Maha Shivaratri and Sarannavarathri are the main festivals celebrated at this temple. At the front of the temple is a lotus covered pond called Chandrakundam, and there is a large Gopuram at the temple entrance. In the left side of temple there is a big hall in which temples of Lord Srirama and Hanuma are present.

Pancharama Kshetrams:

According to Amareshwara Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva who was pleased with the austerities performed by Tharaka presented him with the Amruthalingam. He further assured Tharaka invincibility against enemies, from defeat and death, so long as the Lingam was in his possession. Tharaka sported this Amrutha Lingam around his neck, and on the strength of the boon, wrought untold misery upon the Devas and other celestial beings. Lord Karthik, who led the deities to a battle against Tharaka, was unable to vanquish him even after using the most potent Shakti weapon on him. Much to the deity’s distress and mortification, though the weapon cut the demon into several pieces, they reunited to give life to Tharaka. An exasperated Karthik approached Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu revealed to Karthik that in order to destroy the demon, he had to first break the Amrutha Lingam and also prevent the broken pieces from reuniting. Acting upon Lord Vishnu’s suggestions, Karthik used his Agni Asthra to break Taraka’s Lingam. The Lingam exploded into five pieces, tried to unify by chanting Omkara Nadha. At that very instant, Indra, Surya, Chandra and Vishnu himself, joined Karthik in fixing these broken pieces in the locations where they fell. Thus, were born the Pancharama (Pancha meaning five and Aarama meaning peace) Kshetrams, in five different areas of Andhra Pradesh — Amararama in Amaravati, Bhimeshwara in Draksharamam, Somarama in Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama in Palakkolu and Kumararama in Samalkot. It is believed that the worship of these Lingams, or mere darshan of these shrines, would bestow peace and bliss upon the devotees.

Pagunaraseema / Pavunaraseema: As per local legends, Somarama was called as Pagunaraseema or Pavunaraseema in Olden days

Somarama:

The Sthala purana says that Gandarvas took away Moon to their land thus the Earth was deprived of the pristine moon light and its splendor on full moon nights. Disappointed deities sought the help and advice of Lord Brahma to get back the Moon from Gandarvas. Lord Brahma revealed that Moon was in Gandarva Loka and asked the deities to request Gandarvas to send back moon to Earth. But the dejected Deities felt that Gandarvas wouldn’t heed to their request, in the meanwhile Goddess Saraswathi advised the Deities that they can give her to Gandarvas in exchange for Moon. The Deities then took Goddess Saraswathi to Gandarva Loka and by offering she to the King of Gandarvas brought back moon to Earth. Goddess Saraswathi with her wisdom won the hearts of Gandarvas and got back to Satyaloka of Lord Brahma. Gandarvas slowly realized the trick played by Deities of Earth and hitched plans to bring back Moon to their loka again. Aware of the plans of Gandarvas, Deities alerted Moon to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. Hence, Lord Chandra, the moon god installed the sacred Shivalingam here and worshipped and got his blessings. And hence the temple came to be called as Somarama temple.

Special Features

In Sanctum Lord Shiva is in the form of Shiva Linga avatar. There is one specialty in this temple; Shiva linga will change the color according to the lunar aspect. At full moon day, (Pournami) Shivalinga is in White color as well as Amavasya days it color shades to black

The special temple built on top of Somarama temple, goddess Annapurna with sacred thread on her neck and baby near to her holy feet. On the right side of temple there is an open hall above the temple office. When a crowd is present, pujaris/pandits conduct puja here for individuals. The temple has many sculptures. In the hall of temple there is a big statue of Nandi. After crossing hall there is a room in front of sanctum. In that room there is a temple of Annapurna mata.

In the sanctum Lord Shiva is in the form of a beautiful Shivaling. Shivaling in this temple is small unlike in other Pancharamas. There is a specialty in this temple: Shivaling will change its color according to lunar aspect. At the time of Pournami (full moon nights) shivaling will be in white color and during Amavasya days (dark nights) its color shades black. Another unique feature is that the temple of Goddess Annapurna was built on top of the Shiva temple, something that cannot be seen anywhere in the country. Surprisingly, the Goddess has the sacred thread around her neck and a baby near her feet.

To the south of the Garbha Gruham, Goddess Adilakshmi can be seen and wedding hall at ground and first floors are constructed. Marriages are conducted both in the new hall and also in Goddess Annapurna mantapam. To the east side of this temple, there is a Pushkarini pond which is also called Soma Gundam. Inside the temple, Lord Anjaneya Swamy, God Kumara Swamy, Navagraha, Sun God, Lord Ganesha can be seen. In front of the main entrance, a 15-foot pillar is constructed. The pond in front of the entrance is always covered by lotus flowers.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri is the famous festival in the month of February/March
Sarannavarathri is another festival that takes place in the month of September/October