Sri Someswara swamy Temple

One of Lord Shiva's Pancharama Kshetras is the Sri Someswara Temple, also known as Somaramam. It is in the town of Bhimavaram in the West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh. The other four are in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple is in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple is in Samalkot, and Ksheera Rama Temple is in Palakollu. The Sri Someswara Temple is one of the best places to visit in Rajahmundry.

What is Bhimavaram famous for?

The Gunupudi Someswara (Somarama) temple in Bhimavaram is well-known. It is one of the five holy Pancharamas and the home of the local goddess Mavullamma. People know that the Shiva lingam changes colour every month. During Amavasya, it is black, and during Pournami, it is white. This place celebrates the Shivratri event every year with zeal and excitement. The temple is a must-visit place during the Rajahmundry tour package.

What is the history of Someshwar?

The story says that Tharakasuran worships Lord Shiva and gets his Atma Linga. After that, Tharakasura starts to cause trouble for people and Devatas. In the aftermath, the Devathas become afraid and pray to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu tells them that Tarakasura is an excellent Shiva bhakta, which means he worships Lord Shiva with all his heart. 

Lord Vishnu suggests that all the gods pray to Lord Shiva. It is said that only a boy can kill Tharakasura. This happens, and the boy kills Tarakasura as Lord Kumara Swamy's Avatar. After Tharakasuran dies, the Athmalinga is split into five parts. Devatas puts each one in place in five different areas. These spots are famous as Pancharama Kshetras.

Architecture of Sri Someswara Temple

The temple is inside a walled compound facing east. It is on two levels. The Shiva Lingam in Garbhagriha takes 5 feet to reach. The Goddess Annapurna is on top of the Shiva Lingam on the temple's first floor. This unique building style is not found anywhere else in the country. It looks a lot like how Lord Shiva holds the Goddess Ganga on his head. 

A temple to Goddess Parvathi is close to the main temple. On the other side of the building is a pond famous for Gundam. On the temple grounds, there are five Nandi figures. The building has God Kumara Swamy, Lord Ganesha, Navagraha, and the Sun God.