In the centre of Godavari delta region, is the town of Bhimvaram. Here stands one of the Pancharama Kshetra, the Sri Someshwar Janardhana Temple or Somaramam temple. The shrine is dedicated to the divinity of Lord Shiva with the Lingam here said to have been installed by Lord Chandra and hence the name. King Chalukya Bheema, during 9th century is believed to have instructed the temple.  Inscriptions in the temple, show contributions from Chola Kings to the shrine.

Location Andhra Pradesh , West Godavari, Hyderabad

Legend

The legend regarding the origin of temple describes the war between Lord Kumara Swamy and Tarakasura. As per the legend, Kumaraswamy broke the Lingam worn by Tarakasur as instructed by Lord Vishnu as he could not defeat the demon who had the Lingam on him. One of the places where the fragmented Lingam was placed by Lord Chandra, is the Somaramam Temple. It is hence known as one of the Pancharama khsetras of Lord Shiva.

This temple is part of the famous Pancharama Kshetra Darshan Yatra.

Architecture

This temple built in Dravidian style has a tiered gopuram , carved with sculptures at the entrance. The temple pond called Chandrakundam, is covered with lotus flowers. The temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures and carvings. There are big halls with shrines of Sriram and Hanuman on the sides of the sanctum. In the hall of temple there is a big statue of Nandi. The idol of Lord Shiva, inside the sanctum is in the form of Lingam. The Lingam is believed to change colour according to the lunar positions. On Pournami, it will be white and on Amavasya the colour changes to black. Above the Garbha griha, Goddess Annapurna temple is situated.

Culture

Bhimavaram located in the centre of the Godavari delta region, is a pilgrimage centre and one of the principal areas of paddy trade in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Mahatma Gandhi named the city as "Second Bardoli of India", when he visited the place during the freedom movement in India

Darsan Info

Sri Someshwar Janardhana Temple, Somaramam temple timings - 5.00 AM to 11.00 AM and in the evening from 4.00 PM to 8.00 PM. The temple is part of the Pancharama darshan yatra, the pilgrimage of the five Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to wear clean and conservative attire

Famous Festival

March - Shivrathri

October - Navrathri

Temple Rituals

The priests perform regular pujas and abhisheka to the deity. Special pujas are performed on Fridays

Special Rituals

Wedding ceremonies are conducted in the temple.

Additional Info

 

Vasundhara restaurant

Abhiruchi restaurant

Athidi restaurant.

 

Supermarket : Available