Someswarar Temple

Someswarar Temple is a Shiva temple in Kumbakonam, beside the larger Sarangapani Temple. Shiva is worshipped here as Someswarar, with his consort as Somasundari, and the deity is praised in the Tevaram hymns.

Tradition

The temple takes its name from Soma (Chandra), the Moon god, who is believed to have worshipped Shiva here. The lingam is held to be self-formed (swayambhu). Tradition also links the temple to the legend of Brahma's pot, which is said to have come to rest in Kumbakonam after a great flood.

History

The temple is mentioned in hymns by the 7th-century saint poets Thirugnana Sambandar and Thirunavukkarasar. The present structure dates from the Nayak period in the 16th century. The temple is administered by the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department.

Architecture

The temple faces east with a five-tier gateway tower, and has a second entrance on the south facing the Thanjavur–Kumbakonam road. All its shrines lie within its walls. According to tradition, the temple once covered a larger area before the neighbouring Sarangapani Temple grew around it.

Mahamaham

It is one of the 12 Shiva temples connected with the Mahamaham festival, held at the Mahamaham tank about once every 12 years.