122. SOMANGALAM

SOMANADHEESWARAR TEMPLE

Distance:

Shiva: Somanadheeswarar

Amman: Kaamakshi

Sthala Viruksham: Sarakondrai

Theertham: Sandeswaara Theertham and Soma Theertham

Speciality:

Somangalam belonged to Maganur Nadu which was a sub division of Senkattukottam.

Built during the Period of Kulothunga Chola in 1073AD.

This is a parihara sthala for Chandhra Dhosha.

The name of the place is named after Shiva.

There is a Shiva linga below the Sthala Viruksham called Virukshalingam.

Murugar is in Dharmasastha form with Guindy and Aksharamala.

Chandran has worshipped this lord Shiva and therefore Shiva is named as Somanadheeswarar  (Soman meanng Chandhran).

This is a Vaipusthalam.

Appar has referred about this Sthalam in his hymns.

Some broken idols are seen.

This is a Chandhran Sthalam among the Chennai Navagraha Sthalas.

Shiva faces west.

In earlier days Brahmins lived here in Large numbers. The Chola Kings gave the power of  maintaining the temple to the Brahmins. Therefore this place had obtained the name Chadhurvedhimangalam.

The Natarajar of this temple is Chadhura Thandava Murthy.

The Sthala Viruksham Sarakondrai is found in the northern side of the Sanktum.

There is a Linga named Viruksha Linga under the tree.

The image of the tree is carved on stone above the Linga.

The Pancha Koshta Murthies are very beautiful in this temple.

Vinayaka, Valli Devasena Subramaniya, Chandikeswarar, Nagar sannidhs are found in the temple.

The Nandhi of this temple does not face Lord Shiva. The Nandhi faces the opposite direction with its back facing Somanadheeswarar. There is a special Sannidhi for Chandran here.

The Chola King built 108 Shiva temples with Gajapriishta Vimana. This temple is one among those.

The Sandeswara theertham waas creaated by Chandikeswarar and Soma theertham was created by moon.

There are 5 inscriptions.

In the walls of the temple there are many sculptures and inscriptions. The Vimana carvings of Dhakshinamurthy and Mahishasuramarthini are in Chola style.

The inscriptions during the period of Rajadhiraja Chola II in 1174 AD was about the gift of cows. The name of Shiva mentioned in the inscriptions is Someswara Mudaiyar.  Another inscription is during the period of Kulothunga Chola III in 1192AD. This mentions about the repair of the temple tanks by Kaman Kandhavanavan for 2 years. The third inscription was also during the period of Cholas.

History:

Chandran was attacked by a serious disease due to the curse of Dhakshan. He lost alll his powers and forgot 16 art forms. He went to many temples to get relieved from the disease. He came to this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva here. He created Soma Theertham (by his name) which is now called Vinai Theertha Kulam and bathed in the pond and worshipped Shiva and got relieved from the disease completely. This pond is a little away from the temple.

A Chola King wished to build 108 Shiva temples. He was building this temple. An enemy king approached the Chola King for war without previous information. At that the renovation of the temple was going on and the soldiers were engaged in this work. He was not prepared for the war and he did not wish to stop his temple work. So, the King explained the situation to the Lord. The Lord ordered Nandhikeswarar to chase the enemy king and his army and no damage should be caused to the temple and the place by that king. Therefore the Nandhi turned east to the opposite direction and chased the King and his army by blowing his forceful breath as directed by Lord Shiva. Shiva ordered the Nandhi to face east always to avoid any further attacks by enemies. So, people who fear enemies pray to this Nandhi. This temple is one of the 9 temples in Thondaimandalam where Nandhi does not face Lord Shiva.

A Sage named Somanadhar attained Jeeva Samadhi at the Nandhi's feet of this temple. He guarded Chandran from external disturbances when Chandran was performing penance.

There is a small Vinayaka temple opposite to the temple. This Vinayaka helped Nandhi in chasing away the enemy king.