SOMESWARARTEMPLE, NANNILAM, TIRUVARUR DISTRICT-TAMILNADU-COMPILED

Today my posting is about the Someswarar Temple, also knownas Sri 
Somanatheswarar Temple, is located in Achuthamangalam, near Nannilam,Tiruvarur 
district, Tamil Nadu. It's a revered Hindu temple dedicated to LordShiva, 
classified as a Paadal Petra Sthalam, meaning it's mentioned in theTevaram, a 
7th-century Tamil Saiva text. The temple is situated approximately 3km from 
Nannilam and 19 km from Tiruvarur. 

Hope a divine reading.

Gopalakrishnan 20-6-2025

Here's some moreinformation about the temple: 

Temple Name: Sri Somanatheswarar Temple (Someswarar Temple).

Location: Achuthamangalam, near Nannilam, Tiruvarur.

Deity: Lord Shiva, revered as Someswarar.

Significance: It's a Paadal Petra Sthalam, mentioned in theTevaram.

Distance: About3 km from Nannilam and 19 km from Tiruvarur.

Address

Achudamangalam Sri Somanatheswarar Temple- Achudamangalam,Thiruvarur District, 
Tamil Nadu 610105

Chief deities- Sri Somanatheswarar Amman: Sri Mangalanayaki.

Introduction

The Someswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located inAchuthamangalam 
Village in the Thiruvarur District of Tamil Nadu. This ancient temple is rich 
inhistory and cultural significance. The temple is counted as one ofthe temples 
built on the banks of River Kaveri.

Legends

As per one  legend, the holy pot  containing nectar from Shiva's arrow 
splitinto twelve places where Shiva temples were built and the temple is 
counted asone of them. 

As per another legend, due to a great deluge, Brahma, thegod of creation was 
worried as to where to start his creation. He prayed toShiva who gave a boon 
that he had to collect soil from various places andcreate a Mayakumb. He prayed 
the deity with Bilva leaves and decorated withmango leaves. During deluge, the 
water was diverted south while the potfloated. The place where it landed and 
broke, became the Someswara temple. Since Chandra (Soma) worshippedShiva here, 
it is called Someswara temple. It is believed that theLingam here is 
self-formed or Swayambhu Lingam.

History

The temple is believed to have been built 1,500 years ago bythe Chola king 
Achutha Cholan. It was named Achuthamangalam in honour of theking. The 
Someswarar Temple is not only an important religious site but also atestament 
to the rich historical and architectural heritage of the Chola periodin the 
region. It continues to be a place of reverence and worship for devoteesseeking 
the blessings of Lord Shiva. Century/Period/Age 1182 A.D.

The present masonry structure was built during the Nayakduring the 16th 
century. In modern times, the temple is maintained andadministered by the Hindu 
Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of theGovernment of Tamil Nadu.

Architecture: 

The temple complex covers two acres .It houses two gatewaytowers known as 
gopurams. The tallest is the western tower, with five storiesand a height of 72 
feet (22 m). 

The temple faces east and features a four-tiered Raja gopuram(main tower). It 
has four prakaras (enclosures) and is adorned with numerousChola inscriptions 
in Tamil. The temple comprises an Arthamandapam,Mugamandapam, Mahamandapam, and 
a Sanctum with a beautiful Vimana. 

Inscriptions: 

The temple walls are adorned with Chola inscriptions, whichprovide historical 
and cultural insights into the region.

Specialty

 The famous NayanarThiru Sekkizhar has sung about this temple, particularly the 
KalyanaSundareswarar Shrine, making it a significant pilgrimage site and a 
Thirumana Parihara Sthalam (templeassociated with marriages).

Underground Tunnel: 

Legend has it that there is an underground tunnel near themain deity that 
connects all the way to Thamarai Kulam, which is approximately500 meters away 
from the temple.

Deities

Presiding Deities: The main deity of the temple is LordShiva, who is worshipped 
as Sri Somanatheswarar. The mother goddess is known asSri Mangalanayaki.

The main deity, Someswarar, is in the form of a Linga. Themother goddess is 
housed in a separate shrine and is depicted in a standingform with four hands. 

The sanctum is axial to the entrance tower facing east. Theshrine of 
Mangalambigai is located in the hall leading to the sanctum and facessouth. 

Sub deities : 

The temple features various koshta idols, including NarthanaGanapathy, 
Dhakshinamoorthy, Brahma, Chandikeswarar, Bikshadana, GangalaNathar, and 
Arthanareeswarar . 

The precinct around the sanctum has images of Vinayaka,Arumuga with Valli, 
Gajalakshmi and Nataraja. 

Sculptures: 

Notable sculptures of Kulothunga III and Sekkizhar can befound in the mandapam 
in the eastern prakaram.

Poojas

The temple has six daily rituals at various times from 6:00a.m. to 9 p.m. The 
temple priests perform the puja (rituals) during festivalsand on a daily basis. 
The temple rituals are performed six times a day;Kalasanthi at 6:00 a.m., 
Irandam Kalm at 9:00 a.m., Uchikalam at 12:00 a.m.,Sayarakshai at 6:00 p.m. , 
Irandam Kalm at 7:30 p.m., and Arthajamam at 9:00p.m.

Each ritual comprises four steps: abhisheka (sacred bath),alangaram 
(decoration), naivethanam (food offering) and deepa aradanai (wavingof lamps) 
for Someswaran and Somasundari. 

Festivals: 

The temple celebrates all Shiva-related festivals, with a special focuson Masi 
Magam and Mahashivrathri, which are celebrated with great enthusiasm 
bydevotees. Twelve yearly festivals on its calendar. The Masi Magam festival 
iscelebrated during the day of the Magam (February - March) is the most 
prominentfestival.

There are weekly rituals like somavaram (Monday) andsukravaram (Friday), 
fortnightly rituals like pradosham, and monthly festivalslike amavasai (new 
moon day), kiruthigai, pournami (full moon day) andsathurthi. 

Masi Maham during the Tamil month of Maasi (February -March), Shivaratri in 
February- March and Panguni Uthiram during Panguni arethe major festivals 
celebrated in the temple.

The Mahasamprokshanam also known as Kumbabishegam of thetemple was held on 2 
November 2015. A large number of devotees took part in theMahasamprokshanam.

Administration

Managed By Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE),Government of Tamil 
Nadu. 

How to reach thetemple

Nearest Bus Station-Achuthamangalam

Nearest Railway Station-Thiruvarur

Nearest Airport-Trichy

 

 

 

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