Sri Someswarar Temple, Kudandaikkaaronam, Kumbakonam - 275 Shiva Temples

28. Sri Someswarar Temple, Kudandaikkaaronam, Kumbakonam (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Viazha Somesar, Sri Sikesar, Sri Somanathar
Name of Goddess : Sri Somasundari, Sri Thenar Mozhiyal
Holy water (Theertham) : Maha Maka Theertham
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : -
Thevaram : Sambandar
District : Thanjavur.
Location : Kumbakonam.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 04:00 p.m. to 08:30 p.m

For Complete List of 275 Shiva Temples : Click Here

This is the 28th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Thiruganasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. When the nectar pot broke, the water flowed in this place and a tank came into being called Chandra Pushkarini. In course of time, it dried.

Lord Muruga grants darshan sitting on a peacock with sandal in one leg. The temple has only one prakara. As Moon and Jupiter worshiped in this temple, Mondays and Thursdays have huge devotee crowd in the temple. There are three entrances to the temple. Devotees can have the darshan of Lord Maleesar and Mangala Nayaki if they go through the Rajagopuram entrance. As Vishnu (Mal) worshiped here, Lord is known as Maleesar. Somanathar and Thenarmozhi darshan is open to those coming through Kattai Gopuram entrance. The north entrance leads devotees to the darshan of Someswarar and Somasundari. Lord’s blessing is open to devotees coming from any entrance.

Important Features:

This temple classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam.
Someswara temple is situated in the southern portion of Sri Sarangapani temple.
This temple is facing the northern side with a small Gopuram at the eastern portion near the entrance. The architectural style and element of this temple resembles the Dravidian Architecture of 13th century of Chola period.
Arumugam and Thenar Mozhi Ammal are the other deities located in this temple complex.
Lord Shiva in the temple is Swayambumurthi.
Moon-Soma worshipped the Lord here, hence, Lord is called as Someswarar.
In this temple, Lord Muruga grants darshan sitting on a peacock with sandal in one leg.

Lord Somaskandar blesses the devotees in the inner mandap. There are 8 sculptures on the sanctum wall in worshiping posture. Lord Nataraja has His shrine with Mother Sivakami. He is named Kana Nattam Udayar meaning that the Lord would have no loss if devotees overlook praying to Him but it would be a loss only to such indifferent ones. Praying in this shrine, according beliefs, brings the devotee progress in his trade and promotions in job.

100 devotees of this place took an undertaking in the year 1964 of writing the holy Panchakshra (five letters) Mantra “Shivaya Nama” one lakh each thus making a total of one crore. They bound each such book and preserved it in a box. Till today, the holy box is safely kept in the temple.

History / Legend:

Lord Brahmma was much annoyed when the great flood-Pralaya- took place and was in a dilemma as from where he had to begin creation again. He surrendered to Lord Shiva for guidance. Lord Shiva said, “Gather sand from as many holy places as possible and mix it with nectar and make a Mayakumbam-pot. Fill this pot with nectar and keep the creation seed – Srushti Beeja. Place a coconut on the pot and decorate with mango leaves. Cover the pot with threads. Keep it on an Uri so that it does not fall on sides. This pot would float on the Pralaya flood. I will come there.”

Kumba the pot fell from the Uri and floated in the pralaya flood. A Linga appeared at the place. Moon-Soma worshiped the Lord here, hence, Lord is praised as Someswarar.

Location: Someswar Temple is 2 km away from Kumbakonam Bus Terminal. The bus stop name is Portamarai Kulam in Tanjore Road. The bus stop is very near to Temple. There are lot of town buses / autos available for this temple. One can also access it from the southern road of the Sarangapani Temple.