The Someswara temple is a Pancharama Kshetra, one of the five revered temples of Shiva in Andhra Pradesh. Pancharama Kshetras are five Shiva temples which have a single Shivalinga as their origin. The Someswara temple is the third Pancharama Kshetra, the other four being Amarama in Amaravati, Draksharama in Ramachandrapuram, Ksheerarama in Palakollu and Kumararama in Samalkota. The chief deity of the temple is Shiva as Someswara Swamy with his consort Rajarajeswari. The Shivalinga in Someswara is believed to be incepted by Chandra Bhagawan and the pond in front of the temple is called Chandrakundam. Chandrakundam is a sight in itself with beautiful lotus flowers floating on the pond. A unique feature of the temple is that the color of the Shivalinga changes with lunar conditions, depending on how the moonlight falls on the Shivalinga. During Full moon or Poornima, the Shiva Lingam seems white and during dark nights or Amavasya, the Shiva Lingam seems black. There are shrines of many more deities in the temple such as Rama, Hanumana, Adilakshmi, Anjaneya Swamy, Kumara Swamy, Surya, Ganesha, Navagraha and Nandi. The temple tank of Pushkarini is called Soma Gundam Pushkarini. The temple is known to have a smaller Shivalinga as compared to other Pancharama Kshetras. A special Annapurna temple is built on top of the Someswara temple, which is a rare phenomenon.
The Somarama or Someswara temple is located in Bhimavaram, of West Godavari district in Andhrapradesh. It is known to be one of the prominent pilgrimage places in Andhra Pradesh.
Shivaling’s color changes according to the lunar phase. Shivaling will be white during Pournami & black during Amavasya.
Being one of the Pancharama Kshetras, the temple holds great religious significance for all Hindus, specially Shaivites. The Shivling of this temple is unique in itself, which changes its colors as per lunar condition, causing illumination on the Shivalinga. The full moon day or Poornima results in a white Shivalinga and a dark night or Amavasya results in a black Shivalinga. The shade of Shivalinga changes as per the illumination of the moon. This special feature attaches special significance to the temple. A special temple is built on top of the Someswara temple, that of Devi Annapurna who can be seen with a sacred thread around her neck and a baby near her holy feet. This is a rare phenomenon and cannot be seen elsewhere, adding to the significance of the Someswara temple.
The temple opens at 5:00 and devotees can take darshan in the morning or evening.
Morning Darshan: 5:00 am to 11:00 am
Evening Darshan: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The Someswara temple was built in the 3rd century AD. It has a big gopuram at the entrance. There is a big hall on the left side of the temple with shrines of Rama and Hanuman and on the right side, there is an open hall. The main hall showcases a big nandi murti and Bhagawan Shiva is worshiped here as Someswara Swamy along with Rajarajeswari Devi. Right in front of the Gopuram is a 15m tall pillar. To the south of this hall, there is a shrine of Devi Adilakshmi and the hall is often used to organize marriage celebrations. The pond outside the temple is called Chandrakundam and the temple tank is called Somakundam. There are various shrines of various deities built inside the temple premises. We can see a modern touch to the architecture because of the painting and sculptures that beautifully adorn the temple.
By Air: Vijayawada and Rajahmundry are the nearest airports and are well connected across the country.
By Rail: Bimavaram has a station which is just 2km from the temple.
By Road: Many state transport buses run between Bhimavaram and other cities like Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Palakollu.
The ‘Visiv Stay’ is a hotel in Bhimavaram that offers a comfortable stay. There are many hotels in Palakollu and Razole that devotees can choose to stay like
Sterling Palavelli Godavari in Razole
Sarovar Portrico in Razole
Hotel S Inn in Palakollu.
Major festivals celebrated in Someswara temple are:
Mahashivaratri – February / March
Sarannavaratri – September / October
Illuminate your life by worshiping this Chandra installed Shivalinga, just like the Chandra illuminates the Shivalinga. Being one of the Pancharama Kshetras, the temple is said to bless the devotees with a boon for knowledge, prosperity and salvation.
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