Someswara Swamy Temple- Bhimavaram

Somarama or the Abode of the Lord Someswara Swamy, is a pancharama kshetra in the Gunapudi village of Bhimavaram in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The existence of this temple can be traced to 4^th century and was believed to be constructed by the King Chalukaya Bheema.

• This oldest shrine now appears new due to proper upkeep and maintenance. A tinge of modernity becomes conspicuous due to the coloured paintings and sculptures on the wall.
• The temple has elegant architecture with an overwhelming gopuram or edifice at the entrance.
• A large lake Chandrakundam swamped with beautiful lotuses is present in front of the temple.
• Within the premises on to the left side of the entrance lie the shrines of Lord Hanuman, Lord Sriram, Lord Kumaraswamy and Navagrahas in a hall. On to the right is an open hall with a huge statue of Nandi.
• The Shivalinga of the temple called as Someswara was believed to be installed by Lord Chandra (Soma).
• The most unique feature of the Linga is that it changes it colour according to the lunar aspect. At the time of Pournami (full moon) Shiva Ling is white in colour and attains darker hues during Amavasya. The shivaling is small unlike in other Pancharamas.
• Over the main sanctum sanctorum is the shrine of Goddess Annapurna, an extremely rare feature found in any of the temples in India. This exemplifies the Lord Shiva bearing Goddess Ganga on his head.
• Another distinct feature is presence of five Nandi statues opposite to ShivaLing
  To the south lies the shrine of Goddess Adi Lakshmi and to the east there is a pushkarini or pond referred to as Somagundam. Lord Shiva of this temple is popular as Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy and his consort is Goddess Rajarajeswari.
  Mythological Connect
  As per local legends, Somarama was called as Pagunaraseema or Pavunaraseema in Olden days. Gosthanee River flows adjacent to the village of Gunupudi.
• The sthala purana says that Gandarvas took away Moon to their land thus the Earth was deprived of the pristine moon light and its splendour on full moon nights. Disappointed deities sought the help and advice of Lord Brahma to get back the Moon from Gandharavas. Lord Brahma revealed that Moon was in Gandharava Loka and asked the deities to request Gandharvas to send back moon to Earth. But the dejected Dieities felt that Gandharavas wouldn’t heed to their request, in the meanwhile Goddess Saraswati advised the Dieites that they can give her to Gandharvas in exchange for Moon.
• The Dieities then took Goddess Saraswati to Gandharva Loka and by offering her to the King of Gandharvas brought back moon to Earth. Goddess Saraswati with her wisdom won the hearts of Gandharvas and got back to Satyaloka of Lord Brahma. Gandharvaras slowly realised the trick played by Dieities of Earth and hitched plans to bring back Moon to their loka again. Cognizant of the plans of Gandharvas, Dieties alerted Moon to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
• A popular legend narrates a fascinating tale with regard to existence of Pancharama Kshetras in Andhra Pradesh. The demon King Tarakasura performed severe penance to Lord Shiva whereby he had ShivaLing in his throat which made him invincible. Overpowered by the strength he began to commit grave atrocities. Finally to slay down the demon, Lord Shiva ordained his son Kumara Swamy. But miraculously whenever Kumara Swamy tore the demon’s body into pieces all of them would reunite again due to the power of ShivaLing present in his throat.
• Confused and embarrassed Kumara Swamy sought the help of Lord Vishnu who suggested that the ShivaLing should be first broken into pieces to kill the asura and warned that the pieces of ShivaLing would also reunite quickly. To prevent them from reuniting the pieces have to be fixed in the place where they fall by worshipping them and by building temples.
• Upon the advice of Lord Vishnu, Kumara Swamy wielded Aegneyasthra on the Shivaling, which broke into five pieces. In the meanwhile Lord Vishnu ordered Lord Surya to fix five pieces of ShivaLing in their places and offer prayers to them by building temples. Upon construction of temples, the pieces stopped moving and became popular as pancharama kshetras. All the ShivaLings in these five temples bear a scaly mark on them believed to be formed by the power of Aegneyasthra.
• Lord Someswara Swamy was first worshipped by Lord Chandra (Soma) and hence in the name of Moon God, Lord Shiva attained the name of Someswara and the place is called Somarama.
  Important festivals celebrated in the temple are Radhotsavam and Teppotsavam performed during Sivaratri and Navaratris.
  Other Attractions
  Mavullamma temple
  Draksharama
  Ksherarama
  Antarvedi
  Accomodation
  Comfortable accommodation can be availed either at Bhimavaram or Rajahmundry
  How to reach
  Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) runs buses frequently from Palakollu, Rajahmundry and Vijayawada
  By Road:  Bhimavaram is 20 km from Palakollu
  70 km from Rajahmundry
                          107 km from Vijayawada
                          270 Km from Visakhapatnam
  By Rail: Temple is 2 km away from Bhimavaram railway station
  By Air: Nearest Airport is at Rajahmundry/ Vijayawada

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