Somanatheswarar Temple, Somangalam, Kanchipuram
Somanatheswarar
Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Somangalam Village in
Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is known as Somanatheswarar and
Divine Mother Shakti as Kamakshi Amman. This temple is one of the
Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai Mandalam) devoted to Sri Chandra
Bhagavan (Moon God). Somangalam is a Chaturvedimangalam, a village donated by
the Kings to the Pundits of the four vedas to conduct various yagnas and
regular poojas.
This
beautiful temple is one among the Navagraha temples of Chennai (or Thondai
Mandalam) dedicated to Chandran (Moon).
The
Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:
9.
Gerugampakkam – Neelakandeswarar Temple (Kethu)History
Somangalam,
a village near Kundrathur, one of the suburbs of Chennai close to Porur, is a
place of great antiquity. The two little known Chola temples in Somangalam, one
for Vishnu and the other for Siva and the Tamil inscriptions found on their
walls bear testimony to this suburb’s connections with the Cholas. The name
Somangalam has continued to exist for more than a thousand years as evident
from the Chola lithic records. The other ancient names of this village were
Rajashikhamani Chaturvedimangalam and Panchanadivana Chaturvedimangalam
indicating that it was peopled by scholars who were well-versed in the four
Vedas. It was situated in the ancient territorial sub-division of Maganur Nadu
in Chengattu-k-kottam in Jayankonda-Cholamandalam.
This temple is said to have been built by Kulothunga Chozha in 1073 AD during his 3rd year of reign. According to inscriptions found here, this place was referred as ‘Jayankonda Chozha Mandalathu Senkaattu Kottathu Maaganoor Naattu Somangalamaana Rajasigaamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam”. Those days the places gifted (tax free) to Vedic Brahmins by ancient kings were called Chathurvedhi Mangalams.
The
inscriptions found in the temple also reveal the information about the local
lake which got damaged and about the repair works done to it. Also, there is
information about the cows donated to the temple to fetch revenue to light the
lamps in the temple, every evening.
Legends
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Temple
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Temple Opening
Time
The
Temple will be open from 8 AM – 10 AM and 5 PM – 7 PM – It is preferred to
visit the temple only in the mornings since the evening timing is not sure. The
temple is strictly closed between 12 pm and 4 pm.
Prayers
People
with Chandra and water related Dhoshams, mind and water related problems like
Cold, Asthma, mental sickness etc., can worship Somanatheswarar and Chandra
here to come out of their problems. Also it is believed that Lord Somanatheswarar
blesses people with timely marriage, progeny, peaceful and healthy life.
Contact
Somanatheswarar
Temple,
Somangalam,
Kanchipuram District,
Phone: +91 – 44 – 2717
8330
Connectivity
The Somanatheswarar
Temple is located in Somangalam, Chennai suburb. Buses are available from
Kundrathur bus terminus to Somangalam. The temple is within a km from the
Somangalam bus terminus. Somangalam lies at about 35 kms south west of Chennai
city. One can take the route from Tambaram via Kishkintha to reach Somangalam.
The better alternative is to take the road from Pallavaram going to Kunrathur.
After reaching Kunrathur junction, one has to take left (towards south) to
reach Somangalam.
Somangalam
is about 10 kms from Kunrathur. Also plenty of busses ply from Porur directly
to Somangalam. Somangalam is in the Kundrathur – Padappai road and can be
reached from Tambaram as well. It is 6 kms from Kishkintha. After Kishkintha,
while proceeding straight the road divides into two and you have to take the road
at the left. Go beyond Sairam Engineering College and you will see a road to
the left to Dhanalakshmi Engineering College. Go straight further and you will
reach Somangalam and the temple.
References