Someswara Swamy Temple / Sri Someswarar – Kudanthaikaronam, Kumbakonam, Tanjore : one of the famous Paadal Petra Sthalam of Lord Shiva Temples – Visit, Temple Timings, History, Travel Guide (Updated)
– 28th shiva temple on the southern banks of cauvery river
Someswara Swamy Temple is one of the famous Lord Shiva temples at Kumbakonam in Tanjore. This temple is one of the famous 91st shrines out of the 275 shrines of Paadal Petra Sthalam (தேவாரத் திருத்தலங்கள்) of Lord Shiva Temples.
Someswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is on the banks of the North set of River Cauvery temples and is one of 12 Shiva temples, that are connected with Mahamaham festival which happens once in 12 years in Kumbakonam. This temple is the 91st shrine out of the 275 shrines of Padal Petra sthalangalm. Someswaran Temple is situated just in the southern location of Sarangapani Temple – Lord Vishnu temple.
The Lord of the temple is Swayambumurthy called the Someshwar – Lord Shiva, Chikkesswar, and Goddess Somasundari. This temple is very much near to the famous Sarangapani temple – Lord Vishnu temple.
History of the Someswara Swamy Temple / Sri Someswarar Temple – Sthala Purana :
When the time of the deluge of the world came, Lord Brahma mixed all his creative energy into nectar and put it in an Amirthakalasam – the nectar pot and kept the Kumbam – the nectar pot safe at the top of the Himalayas.
During the flood, when the sea level rose to the top of the Himalayas, Amirthakalasam – the nectar pot was kept safe floated in the water and came to a halt when the floodwaters receded. The place where the Kumbam – the nectar pot, stood is the one which we now call the place called the Kumbakonam.
Adikumbeswarar:
Lord Shiva shot an arrow at the grounded Kumbam and broke the Kumbam and poured Amudham – the nectar. Lord Shiva created a Shivalinga out of sand soaked in Amudham and stayed under the name of Adikumbeswarar in Kumbakonam, in the place where the nectar spilled down.
Chikkesswar:
When Lord Shiva shot an arrow Kumbam, Chikkam – the pot hooks/threads around the Nectar pot fell apart. A lingam appeared there and that lingam was worshiped by the Chandran. Since the lord enlightened from Chikkam – Uri the pot hook, and the lord so-called as Chikkesswar.
Someshwar:
Another significance of this temple’s history is, that the Chandran was cursed by Brahashpati. So to remove the curse, he built a theertham – Chandrapushkarani, the pool in front of the temple, and worshiped Lord Shiva. As Chandra – the Soma worshipped Lord Shiva at this place, this temple is called the Someswaran temple, and Kord is called Someshwar.
Vyazha Someshwarar:
Guru – the planet Jupiter god, worshipped Someshwarar and hence the Lingam is also known as Vyazha Someshwarar – Guru’s Sikkeshwarar.
The temple is proud to be a place of worship for the Navaganyas. Lord Shiva also brought the navaganyas to Kumbakonam and said that bathing in the Kumbakonam Mahamaka Teertha would cure sins.
Lord Maleeswarar:
Lord Vishnu worshipped Lord Somanathar and received the boon to get victory over Asuras. He also built a shrine for Maleeswarar – a Linga and Mangalanayagiamman. As Thiru’mal’ worshiped the lord and so he was named Maleeswarar.
Temple Architecture of Someswara Swamy Temple / Sri Someswarar Temple :
Mangaiyarkarasi, who is revered as the dawn of Saiva Samayam was born in this town as the daughter of Mani Mudicholan. she becomes the wife of Koonpandiyan – a Pandya king. The king’s illness was cured by Mangaiyarkarasi and the Saivate saint Thirunyanasambandhar. The sage also praises Mangaiyarkarasi as Valivalarkaimadamani and Valavarkonpa.
Cholas wanted to build a large Shiva temple in the city of Mangaiyarkarasiyar, as she births in their country Kumbakonam. Kulothunga Chola III expanded this temple. Paranthaka Chola king constructed a shrine for Choleeswara and Tripurasundari Amman. Cholas initiated this temple development and the present masonry structure was built later during the Nayakars during the 16th century.
The east face temple has five level towers and beyond that are the Kodimaram and Nandi. Next to the five-level tower is the three-level tower in which Lord Shiva can be seen facing east and Goddess Ambika facing west. The temple has three gates and one prakaram.
Lord Nataraja is seen with Goddess Sivagami Ambal in a separate sanctum in this place, called the ‘Kana Nattam Udayar’. Lord Murugan in this temple is in the form of Arumugam – 6 faces and 12 hands in a sitting pose over his Mayil vaghana – the peacock vehicle. Saint Arunagirinathar has sung a hymn about this Lord Arumugam of this temple in his work “Thirupugal”. Thirupathigam – the hymns of Nalvar in the form of the epigraph is found in this temple. Thirugnana Sambandar has sung a hymn about this temple.
In 1964, at the Someswara Swamy Temple hundreds of devotees wrote down the Panchachara mantra – “Sivaya Nama” (ஓம் சிவாய நமஹ), at the rate of total one crore mantras. These Panchachara mantra notes are stored in a box and placed inside the temple, which has been preserved for more than over 40 years.
Travel Tips for Someswara Swamy Temple / Sri Someswarar Temple in Kumbakonam :
Address of Someswara / Someswarar Swamy Temple in Kumbakonam Temple,
Sri SomeswaraSwamy Temple, Kumbakonam, Tanjore – 612 001.
Phone: +91- 435-243 0349
Entry Fee: Free
Temple Timings of Nellaiappar Temple – Arulmigu Swami Nellaiyappar & Gandhimathi Amman Temple, in Tirunelveli: 6.00 AM to 12.00 noon – 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Moolavar: Someswarar
Amman / Thayar: Thenar Mozhiyal, Somasundari
Holy Water: Soma Theertham, Mahamaham Theertham
Temple Tree: Neem
Year: 1000-2000 years old
How to reach Someswara / Someswarar Swamy Temple Temple, in Kumbakonam :
On Road: Someshwarar Temple, Kumbakonam Temple is at the center of the town Kumbakonam, and the town is well connected by road networks. There are regular bus services from many important cities in south India Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Karaikal, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Mayiladudhurai, Pattukkottai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Ooty, and Mysore.
On Flight: The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) which is 100 Km away from the temple.
By Train: The nearest railway station is the Kumbakonam railway station ( station code – KMU) at a distance of 2 km.
Check out and enjoy the photo captures of Someswara / Someswarar Swamy Temple Temple, in Kumbakonam.
Similar Famous Lord Shiva Temples you may like to Visit:
Jurahareshwarar Temple, Kanchipuram – Best & Famous Shiva Temple In India – Visit, Travel Guide
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Balakumar .M
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