Somanatheswarar Temple, Somangalam – Legends
Chandra Bhagwan got rid of Dakshan Curse here:
As per
Hindu Mythology, once Sri Chandra Bhagwan got cursed by Dakshan. Due to this
curse, he lost his divine power and forgot all 16 forms of arts he had acquired.
To get rid of this curse, he is said to have created a pond in this place
called Soma Theertham (Vinai Theerthan Kulam, the tank that eliminates all bad
karmas) and took bath in this Pond located at about half a km to the west of
this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here.
After
this, he got back his beauty and wisdom. As Sri Chandra Bhagwan worshipped Lord
Shiva here, Shiva here is known as Somanatheswarar and the place came to be
known as Somangalam. This temple is a parihara sthalam for those having any
Dhosham related to Chandra Bhagwan. Chandra Bhagwan has a separate shrine in
the temple facing west.
Somanathar attained Jeeva Samadhi here:
Sources
say that a sage named Somanathar attained Jeeva Samadhi at the feet of Lord
Nandikeswarar, who is believed to have guarded Soman against any disturbances
while doing penance.
Theerthams:
Soma
theertham (Vinai Theerthan kulam) at half a km to the west of the temple,
created by Moon God and Chandeeswara Theertham adjacent to the temple created
by Chandeeswarar.
Nandhi Unique posture of facing east instead of facing
Lord Shiva:
There
lived a king called Somakaanthan in this part of the country, who wished to
build 108 Shiva temples throughout his country. While he was in the middle of
the construction work for this temple, he had his enemies marching towards his
territory for war. The king was shocked to hear this, because he was never
prepared for a war at that time and had engaged all his soldiers in the temple
construction work.
With
much grief, he prayed Lord Shiva here to save him. Shiva was pleased with his
devotion in constructing the temple, directed Nandikeswarar to fight against
the king’s enemy. Nandhi turned towards east and blew away the entire troupes
of the enemy just with his forceful breath. Lord Shiva made Nandhi to face east
permanently to make sure that there were no further attacks to the king’s
country by enemies. 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.