Somanatha Swamy Temple,
Poundarigapuram, Thanjavur
Somanatha Swamy Temple is a
Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in Poundarigapuram Village near Kumbakonam
Town in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Poundarigapuram is also known as Enathimangalam
in ancient times. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. This
Temple is considered as a sub temple of Kumbakonam Kasi Viswanathar Temple.
Legends
It is believed that Lord Yama,
god of death, worshipped Lord Shiva of this Temple.
History
The Temple is believed to be
built during Kulothunga Chola I, one of the famous Later Chola Emperor based on
the architectural style. In fact, the village derives its name from Poundarika,
a special type of Yaga. Ayya Kumara Tata Desika, who was the Rajaguru to the
ruler of Thanjavur, performed this special Yaga in Vennar Bank near Thanjavur,
about three hundred years ago. This village was set up and named
Poundarigapuram, in commemoration of this special Yaga.
The
Temple
This is an ancient east facing
Temple in dilapidated condition. Nandi housed in a Mandapam and Balipeedam can
be found in the prakaram facing the sanctum. The Sanctum Sanctorum is having
Artha Mandapam, Maha Mandapam and Sanctum. Presiding Deity is called as
Somanatha Swamy. He is housed in the sanctum in the form of Lingam. He is
facing east. There are stairs the sides to reach Maha Mandapam.
Dwarapalakas can be found at the
entrance of the sanctum. Vimana over the sanctum is of brick construction. There
are about 22 Koshta Idols located around the Mahamandapam and Sanctum. Vinayaga,
Dakshinamoorthy, Lingodbhava and Brahma are the Koshta Idols located around the
sanctum walls. Other interesting Koshta
Idols are Rishabaroodar, Arthanareeswarar, Saraswathi, Lakshmi, Gangadhara
Moorthy, Chandrasekarar, Bikshadana and Bhairavar.
Chandikeswarar Anugraha Moorthy
can be found in the Mahamandapam Deva Koshta similar to Gangai Konda Cholapuram
Temple. Only difference is Lord Shiva without Mother Parvathy is gracing the
Chandikeswarar. Almost all the Deva Koshta Idols are vandalized. There are
interesting sculptures of Lord Shiva gifting Pasupatha to Arjuna and Adhikara
Nandi at the entrance of Maha Mandapam. Also, sculptures of Gangavisarjanar and
Chandala Roopa Moorthy can also be found in the Maha Mandapam.
There is a south facing shrine
in the Maha Mandapam for the consort of Somanatha Swamy. Mother is having four
hands. Upper two hands are holding Akshara Mala and Lotus Flower and Lower two
hands are showing Abhaya and Hastha posture. Her shrine is in total ruins and
can be collapsed at any time. There is a shrine for Lord Vinayaga at the south
west corner of the Temple premises.
There is a unique stone called
Soolakal at the entrance of the Temple. Mostly these stones are installed on
the lands belonged to Shiva Temple. This Soolakal has carvings of Trisula with
Chandra & Surya above it and pig below it. Please be noted that Vijayanagara
and Chalukya Kings had pig as their royal insignia. There are no inscriptions
available in the temple except an unclear inscription in the Adhistana of
Vinaya Shrine.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 3
Kms from Ayyavadi, 4 Kms from Thirunageswaram, 6 Kms from Thirunageswaram
Railway Station, 8 Kms from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 9 Kms from Kumbakonam
Bus Stand, 10 Kms from Kumbakonam, 52 Kms from Thanjavur and 106 Kms from Trichy
Airport. The Temple is situated on Kumbakonam to Karaikal Route.