Somangalam Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram

Address

Somangalam Soundararaja Perumal Temple, Somangalam, Kanchipuram District- 602109

Deity

Soundararaja Perumal Amman: Sridevi and Bhoodevi.

Introduction

The Soundararaja Perumal Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located at Somangalam Village in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. The temple features architecture similar to the Kerala-style temples. It is situated very close to the Somanatheswarar Temple. The presiding deity, Soundararaja Perumal, is depicted in a standing posture, with his upper hands holding the conch and the discus, his lower right hand in abhaya hasta, and his left hand resting on the hip (kati hasta).

Puranic Significance

The Soundararaja Perumal Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.
The main deity is flanked by the goddesses Sridevi and Bhoodevi.
The temple features several Utsava murtis in the sanctum, including Narthana Krishna, Vishwaksenar, Sudarsana, and Anjaneya.
The vestibule (antarala) that connects the main shrine with the mandapam in front houses the stone images of Vishwaksenar, Nammazhwar, Andal, and Ramanujar.
Garuda has its own shrine directly opposite the central sanctum.
The temple features a single circumambulatory passage (prakaram), which is spacious and wide, and houses several sanctums, with the Goddess Lakshmi shrine being the most important, where she is worshipped as Soundaravalli Thayar.
A well-maintained garden (Nandavanam) encircles the temple.
One of the most distinctive features of the temple is the main mandapam. Its tiled roof and wooden structure are reminiscent of the architectural style seen in Kerala temples, known for their tile and timber traditions.
An old deepasthambam (lamp-post), made from a single piece of granite, stands in front of the mandapam, adding to the temple’s ancient charm.
The temple’s entrance is marked by a tiny gopuram.
An inscription, dated 1073 A.D. from the reign of Kulottunga Chola I, is etched on the walls of the main shrine. The inscription states that the deity was worshipped as Thiruchitra-kuttatu-Azhwar during the Chola period and records a gift of land to the temple by the Mahasabha (administrative unit) of the village. This donation was intended to fund services, offerings, and the lighting of lamps during the evenings.
During the Tamil month of Margazhi, Andal’s Thiruppavai is chanted by school students at this temple, continuing a long-standing tradition.

Location and Access

The temple is located about 35 km southwest of Chennai city.
Visitors can reach Somangalam by taking the route from Tambaram via Kishkintha.