Somanatheswarar Temple, Somangalam – The Temple
This
ancient temple was built by the Chola king, Kulothunga, in 1073 A.D. Presiding
Deity is known as Somanatheswarar and Mother is known as Kamakshi Amman. This
has the Gajaprashta (look of the back of an elephant) vimanam. It is believed
that 108 Shiva temples have been built by the same king. Thirumazhisai,
Somangalam, Manimangalam Dharmeshvarar and Mannivakkam (Maniaandi, as it is
called) are some of the temples of that group in this region. This has Somanatheswarar
as the main deity with the Chandra adorning Shiva.
Inside
the main sanctum, there is a unique statue of Lord Muruga in Brahma Sastha form
with Gindi in one hand and Aksha Mala in another hand. Once Brahma was put
behind bars by Subramania himself and he took charge of the work of creation
for 3.75 Naazhi. During that period babies were born beautifully and so Murugar
is also called Azhagan. It is said that there was a separate Kandhaswamy temple
housing this Subramaniar and when the temple became dilapidated in due course,
He was brought into this temple.
Natarajar
as ‘Chathura Thandava Moorthy’ is present in the sanctum which is again very
unique and rarely seen anywhere. Chathuram (square) is the shape of moon god
that coincides with the Chathura Thandavam of Natarajar. There are separate
shrines for Ganesha, Surya, Bairavar, Dhakshinamurthy, Vishnu and Goddess
Durga. There are inscriptions belonging to 5 different time periods but some of
them have been painted over in the process of renovation.
In the
outer praharam there are idols of Saptha Mathas, the first in the row being
Jeshta Devi, the Ambal of Lord Saturn a rare idol. Sri Jyeshta Devi is said to
be the elder sister of Sri Mahalakshmi, who evolved earlier to Sri Mahalakshmi
when the mighty ocean was churned. Also present is Maandhi with buffalo head
born to Jeshta Devi and Saneeswaran. Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu,
Brahma, Sandikeswarar & Durgai are seen on the outer walls of the sanctum.
The
Sthala Viruksham for this temple is Sarakondrai Maram which is found on the
northern side of the sanctum. There is a small shrine having small Shiva Lingam
below this tree and is called Vruksha Lingam. An image of a tree is carved on
stone above this Lingam. A few dilapidated idols are seen near Sthala Viruksham.
The Theertham for this temple is said to be Sandeeswarar Theertham, which is
believed to be created by Sri Sandikeswarar.
Another
Theertham is Soma Theertham, which was created by Moon God is present a little
away from the temple. There is a small temple for Vinayaka just outside the
main temple. As you enter the gate which is in the south to the left you see
the main sanctum of Lord Shiva and a small Sannidhi for Vinayaka. This main Sannidhi
has the statues of Brahma and Murugan on the left.
The main
Sivalingam is imposing and serene with the garbagruha very cool on a hot day. You
can see the Nandi outside this complex facing east away from Siva next to the
main Sannidhi. In front of the main gate is the imposing Sannidhi of
Kamakshi Devi facing south. Between the Sivan and Kamakshi sannidhis to the
North West is another separate Sannidhi for Murugar with his consorts in
the outer praharam built later in 1935.
To the
Eastern sides facing the Siva shrine are the sannidhis of Chandran and
Suryan flanking the gate. You can see the Chandran Sannidhi below with a
navagraha Sannidhi on the left. The walls of the Somanatheswarar temple are
studded with sculptures and inscriptions. Noteworthy are the carvings of the
vahanams or mounts of the respective deities on the pedestals. Chola era images
of Dakshinamurti and Durga as Mahishasuramardhini are also seen here.
The
earliest epigraph in this Siva temple is dated 1,174 A.D. (of the reign of
Rajadhiraja Chola II), registering the gift of cows and providing the ancient
name of this deity as Someshwaram Udaiyar. An interesting lithic record, of the
time of Kulothunga III, dated 1,192 A.D., refers to breaches in the bunds of a
lake in Somangalam for two years in succession. The lake bunds were repaired by
one Kaman Kandavanavan, who also bore the expenses towards the annual repair of
the tank. Several other inscriptions in the reign of this later Chola monarch
are seen here.
This
temple is a Parihara Sthalam for those having any Dhosham related to Chandra
Bhagavan. Chandra Bhagavan has a separate shrine in the temple, facing west. Here
one can see Nandhi unusually facing east instead of facing the Lord in the
sanctum. This is one of the very unique features of this temple.
