View source for Somarama

{{Short description|Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
| name               = Somarama
| image              = SomeswaraSwamy-5.JPG
| alt                = 
| caption            = Someswara Swamy temple
| map_type           = India Andhra Pradesh
| map_caption        = Location in Andhra Pradesh
| coordinates        = {{coord|16|32|28.56|N|81|32|06.31|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| native_name        = 
| country            = [[India]]
| state              = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| district           = [[West Godavari]]
| location           = [[Bhimavaram]]
| elevation_m        = 
| deity  = [[Shiva]]
| facade_direction = 
| temple_tank        = 
| tower              = 
| festivals= Mahasivaratri - February/March, Sarannavaratri – September/October
| architecture       =  
| temple_quantity  = 
| monument_quantity= 
| inscriptions       = 
| creator            =
| website            = 
}}
'''Somarama''' is one of the five [[Pancharama Kshetras]] that are sacred to the Hindu god [[Shiva]]. The temple is located in [[Bhimavaram]] of [[West Godavari district]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|title={{as written|Tou|rsim [sic]}} |url=http://bhimavarammunicipality.com/tourism.aspx|publisher=Bhimavaram Municipality|access-date=1 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316140637/http://bhimavarammunicipality.com/tourism.aspx|archive-date=16 March 2015}}</ref> It is one of the centrally protected [[Monuments of National Importance|monuments of national importance]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Centrally Protected Monuments|url=http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html|website=Archeological Survey of India|access-date=27 May 2017|language=en|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626104454/http://asihyd.ap.nic.in/monuments.html|archive-date=26 June 2017}}</ref>

==Architecture and history==
This temple is an old, however has newer paintings on the walls and sculptures.

At the front of the temple is a lotus covered pond called Chandrakundam. There is a large [[gopuram]] at the temple entrance. In the left side of temple, there is a big hall in which temples of the deities [[Rama]] and [[Hanuman]] are present.

On the right side of temple, there is an open hall above the temple office. When a crowd is present, pujaris/pandits conduct puja here for individuals. The temple has many sculptures. In the hall of temple, there is a big statue of [[Nandi (bull)|Nandi]]. After crossing hall, there is a room in front of sanctum. In that room there is a temple of the goddess [[Annapurna (goddess)|Annapurna]].

In the sanctum, Shiva as Someswara Swamy is in the form of a [[Lingam|linga]]. The linga is small in comparison to other Pancharamas. The linga is said to change its colour according to [[Lunar phase|Lunar aspect]]. At the time of [[Purnima|Pournami]] (full moon nights), the linga is white. During [[Amavasya]] (no moon nights), its colour is black.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.shaktipeethas.org/pancharamas/topic176.html|title=Somaramam at Gunupidi, Shiva puja : Pancharamas|access-date=4 November 2013|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104140905/http://www.shaktipeethas.org/pancharamas/topic176.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Somarama temple car.jpg|thumb|left|temple chariot during Mahasivarathiri festival]]
The temple of Annapurna was built on top of the Shiva sanctum. The goddess deviates from her usual iconography, wearing the [[Upanayana|sacred thread]] (usually worn by Hindu men) and having  a baby near her feet.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bhimavaram (Somarama) - Pancharama Lingam - Temples - Glorious India |url=http://www.gloriousindia.com/places/temples/bhimavaram_pancharama_lingam.html |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=5 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105130935/http://www.gloriousindia.com/places/temples/bhimavaram_pancharama_lingam.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The consort of Someswara is Rajarajeswari Ammavaru.

The linga is said to be installed and by the moon-god [[Chandra]].

[[Maha Shivaratri]] and [[Navratri|Sarannavarathri]] are the main festivals celebrated at this [[temple]].

To the south of the sanctum, the goddess [[Lakshmi|Adilakshmi]] can be seen and wedding hall at ground and first floor are constructed. Marriages are conducted both in the new hall and also in the  ''Annapurna mantapam''.

To the east side of this temple, there is a Pushkarini pond which is also called Soma Gundam. Inside the temple, Hanuman, [[Kartikeya|Kumara Swamy]], [[Navagraha]], [[Surya]] and [[Ganesha]] can be seen. In front of the main entrance, a 15-foot pillar is constructed.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.eastgodavari.nic.in/Kotipalli.html Kotipalli] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628111129/http://www.eastgodavari.nic.in/Kotipalli.html |date=28 June 2006 }}
* [http://www.shaktipeethas.org/somaramam-at-gunupidi-t176.html Someswara swamy temple]

{{Pancharama Kshetras}}
{{Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh}}
{{Vaippu sthalam}}

[[Category:Bhimavaram]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in West Godavari district]]
[[Category:Pancharama Kshetras]]
[[Category:State protected monuments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh]]