Sri Someswaran Temple / Sri Someswarar Temple / Sri Someswaraswamy Temple, சோமேசர் கோயில், குடந்தைக் காரோணம் / Kudanthai Karonam, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 145^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 28^th Shiva sthalam on the south of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. The temple is situated near Porthamarai kulam in the centre of Kumbakonam city. This is one of the Karonam temples in Tamil Nadu, after Nagai Karonam and Kanchipuram Karonam. People call this temple a Somesar Koil / Temple. As per the inscriptions, this place was called Somanatha Mangalam, and Lord Shiva was also called Banapureeswarar.

  

(First Visit, same view)

In Periyapuranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Kudanthai Keelkottam.

கண்ஆரும் அருமணியைக் காரோணத்து ஆர் அமுதை

நண்ணாதார் புரம் எரித்த நான்மறையின் பொருளானைப்

பண்ஆர்ந்த திருப்பதிகம் பணிந்து ஏத்திப் பிறபதியும்

எண்ஆர்ந்த சீர்அடியார் உடன்பணிவுற்று எழுந்தருளி

Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. 

வாரார் கொங்கை மாதோர் பாகம் ஆகவார் சடை

நீரார் கங்கை திங்கள் சூடி நெற்றி ஒற்றைக்கண்

கூரார் மழுவொன்று ஏந்தி அந்தண் குழகன் குடமூக்கில்

காரார் கண்டத்து எண்தோள் எந்தை காரோணத் தாரே

......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

                                                                -“வாழ்கோட்டத்

தேரொண மட்டுந் திகழ் குடந்தை மட்டுமன்றிக்

காரோண மட்டுங் கமழ் மலரே

........ திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Somesar,  Sri Chikkesar, Sri Somanathar

Consort    : Sri Somasundari, Sri Thenar Mozhiyal

Some of the important features of the temples are.....

The Temple faces east with the 5-tier Rajagopuram, which is kept locked, and the entrance is from the roadside. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam, and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum. In the sanctum, Moolavar Somesar is of Swayambhu and short. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Brahma, and Durgai. On the right side is the Ambal Thenar Mozhiyal.

In the outer praharam, Kalyana Sundara Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Navagrahas, Sekkizhar, Nalvar, Natarajar Sabha. In the inner prakaram, Kodi Panchara Koil, Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar, and Gajalakshmi. Chozheeswarar & Thiripura Sundari (believed to be worshiped by Parantaka Chozha ), Maleesar, and Mangala Nayaki (are believed to be worshiped by Maha Vishnu) are also in the praharam.   Natarajar, Sivakami, and Somaskandar are in the artha mandapam.  

Ambal Mangala Nayagi is big in size and in standing posture. Malleeswarar Shiva Linga is by the side of Ambal. Kalyana Sundarar Sannadhi is opposite to the Ambal sanctum.

The 15th-century saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple.

வரியளிக ளிசைமுரல வாகான தோகையிள

            மயிலிடையில் நடனமிட ஆகாச மூடுருவ

            வளர்கமுகின் விரிகுலைகள் பூணாக மாகியிட          மதில்சூழும்

    மருதரசர் படைவிடுதி வீடாக நாடிமிக

            மழவிடையின் மிசையிவரு சோமீசர் கோயில்தனில்

            மகிழ்வுபெற வுறைமுருக னேபேணு வானவர்கள்    பெருமாளே

ARCHITECTURE

The sanctum sanctorum consists of the sanctum, antarala, and artha mandapam. A vesara vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There is a saying that “கோயில் பெருத்தது கும்பகோணம்”, Kumbakonam has many temples, both Saivam and Vaishnavam. Even though in literature, this place was mentioned as Kudamooku, now called Kumbakonam. Once in 12 years, Mahamaham is conducted in Mahamaha Theertha Tank on the day when Guru stands in Simha Rasi and Chandran in  Kumbha Rasi.

The Mahamaha Theertha tank is spread over 15 acres, and it has 9 wells and 16 sannadhis around the 4 banks. Apart from small temples, Kumbakonam has 14 big temples with 14 tanks. They are Brahma theertheesam, Mukunthesam, Thanesam, Rishabesam, Banesam, Konesam, Bhakthesam, Bhairavesam, Agasthesam, Vyakesam, Gangadharesam, Bramesam, and Moothatheerhesam. In addition to this temple, it has 14 Theerthas, 7 Thadahas, 3 wells, and 4 river steps. The maintenance of these tanks and Vimanas of 16 Shiva temples was built during the Vijayanagara period by Achuthappa Nayak’s minister, Govinda Deekshithar. He carried out all these through Gold with thulabharam, ie, an equal amount of his weight. His stone image is in the Kumbeswarar Temple.

Govinda Deekshithar was instrumental in establishing Raja Veda Padasala, Schools, Pushba mandapas with Jodi / twin Vimanas, Velvi Sala next to Raja Veda Pada Sala, the Silver Chariot & Rishaba vahana at Thiruvidaimaruthur, and extension of Mandapas at temples, etc. Hope was next to Chozhas, who was the person who had done this yemon service. He was also called Ayyan, so some of the places like Ayyampettai, Manakkal Ayyampettai, Ayyan Street at Kumbakonam, and Thanjavur are named after him. Hence, he was praised as Kumbakonam Kshethra Mahathmiyam as...

கோவிந்த தீக்ஷிதோ நாம மஹாநாஸீத் கலெள யுகே

தேந ஷோடசலிங்காநி ஸ்தாபிதாதி ஸரோவரே

During pralaya, as per the wish of Brahma, the Amutha Kalasa stayed at this place, hence called Amuthasarorukam and Kumbakonam. It is believed that 9 holy rivers start with Ganga, Sarayu, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri came in the form of Nava Kannis took a bath, hence called “Kanniyar Theertham”.

பூமருவும் கங்கைமுதல் புனிதமாம் பெருந்தீர்த்தம்

மாமக்ந்தான் ஆடுதற்கு வந்து வழிபடுங்கோயில்

..... பெரிய புராணம்

The Paadal Petra Sthalangal Kumbeswarar Temple, Nageswara Swamy Temple, Kudanthai Keelkottam, and Kudanthai Karonam are in Kumbakonam.      

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 16^th reign year inscription records that AaRRudayan Araiyan Rajaraja Devan Vanakovaraiyan,  gifted land as irayili to the newly established nandavana in the name of Rajarajeswaram Udayar Manilai Thirunandavanam, this temple, ThirumuRRam, Thirumadaivalakam, Theertha kulam / Temple tank, Thirunandavanam, with the periphery limit of the land. Also, the inscription mentions the Paddy to be given to this temple.   

The Chozha king Kulothunga Chozha-III’s, 9^th reign year inscription records that, Kangaikondan Rajarajadevan alias Anukka Pallavaraiyan, Gangaikondan PeRRazhvan, and Gangaikondan Periyan, all three sold a Plantain grove sold for Vanakovaraiyan for 8000 kasu and gave it to this temple. Before this deed, their uncle Periyan Koothan alias Chengeeraiyar, who had 5 veli land, also sold to this Vanakovaraiyar.

 

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 11^th reign year inscription records the endowment of land gifted as Thirunamattukani to the Somanatha Swamy temple, Somanatha Mangalam by Thiraimuran Thyagavinothan. It is understood that it was another part of Kudamukku. In this inscription, Kulothunga Chozha was also called Sungam Thavirtha Chozhan.   

The Chozha King Rajarajan-III’s 4^th reign year inscription records the endowment of land sold and gifted to this temple as Thirunamattukani by Thirunavudayan alias Arinthavan Moovendavelan for 7730 Kasu.   

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 4^th reign year inscription records the endowment of two ma araikani munthirika land sold for 25740 kasu and given to this temple by Merkudayan Araiyan Sankaradevan.   

In 1958, Kudanthai Sivanadiyars Group accepted this temple as Kudanthai karonam and fixed the Thevara hymns on the wall.

LEGENDS

It is believed that during the Maha Sankara/Pralaya period, Lord Shiva unified all the athmas with him. Hence, the place is Karonam. Ambal embraced Lord Shiva of this temple, so this temple is called Kaya + Arohanam – Kayarohanam - Karonam. Planet Jupiter / Guru / Viyazhan and Chandran – Moon ( Soman ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called “Viyazha Someswarar”.    

It was claimed by some people that “Kashi Visuvesam” on the North banks of Mahamaha Theertha tank is the Paadal Petra Sthalam. Rama worshiped Lord Shiva to give him Raduramsam (Rudra characters) to kill Ravana. Rama’s body, which embraced the Rudra Amsa/Rudra from this temple, is called Kayaroganam (Kaya – body, Arohanam – embrace), but Thirugnanasambandar mentions Ambal's name as "Thenar Mozhiyal" (Saka Umesam) in his hymns.

தேனார்  மொழியாள் திளைத்தங்காடித் திகழும் குடமூக்கில்

கானார் நட்டம் உடையார் செல்வக்காரோனத்தாரே 

Viyazhan, Chandran worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. The Holder / uRi of the Amirtha kalasa turned to Shiva Linga (Chikkam - uRi), called Chikkesam.    

At the end of each yuga, Lord Shiva destroys the living things on the whole earth through Pralaya. Brahma asked Lord Shiva where to create new lives and the procedure to be adopted. Lord Shiva told Brahma to create a magical pot and fill it with the seeds of all living things, the soil of various holy places, and the amrita in the pot. At the end of the yuga, Lord Shiva asked Brahma to leave the pot to float in the pralaya floodwater. When the pot reached this place, Lord Shiva, in the form of Kirathamoorthy, shot the pot with an arrow. The pot had broken, and the Amirtha mixed with soil spilled and spread in this place, Kumbakonam. The soil with amrita formed a Shiva Linga.  Hence, Lord Shiva is called Adi Kumbeswarar, the temple is called Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, and this place is called Kumbakonam. It is believed that the Uri / string, which holds the pot, has fallen at this place and formed a Shiva Linga.

The arrow shot by Lord Shiva creates nostrils around the post. The amirtha flowed through the nostrils. Hence, this place is called “Kudamooku” (Kudam – pot, mooku – nostrils). The Mango leaves, the sacred grass (Tharpai), hoop (uri), bell tree leaves (bilva), Coconut, and the sacred thread / yagnopaveetha (poonool), which adorns the pot, had fallen in different places due to the swirl of the pralaya wind. They formed Shiva Lingas and later as temples around this place. As per the Puranas, the life of living things started from this place, and this is treated as one of the Thiruvilaiyadal of Lord Shiva.

Astronomically, the Mahamaham happens on a full moon day as the moon is passing the Magha nakshatra (Leo sign ), and the Sun is on the other end in the opposite Aquarius sign (Kumbha Rasi). Mahamaham occurs once in 12 years when the planet Jupiter's residence in Leo coincides with the full moon in Leo.

PoRRamarai tank is in front of the temple. The Mahamaham festival, or the Kumbh Mela, is celebrated once in 12 years in the Mahamaham tank. It is believed that 9 celestial maidens had a dip in the Mahamaham tank. It is believed that it is the confluence of 9 holy river Goddesses, namely Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, Kaveri, and Sarayu. According to Periyapuranam, Lord Shiva rejuvenated all the 9 holy rivers.   

There are different cults in worshiping Lord Shiva. They are Saivam, Pasupatham, Kapalikam, Kalamukhas, etc. It is believed that Pasupata worship was practiced in this temple. The basic principle of this cult is to attain Lord Shiva’s feet with the mortal body (Kayam in Tamil  – body, human body, உடம்பு). Pundarika Maharishi, who practiced the Lakulisa Pasupatha, worshiped Lord Shiva of Kashi, Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam, and Nagapattinam. Hence, this temple is called Kayarohanam, which got corrupted to Karonam. 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular Poojas, Special poojas are conducted on Theerthavari festival is conducted in Mahamaham Tank on Masi Maham day, Maha Shivaratri (Feb–March), Panguni Festival in the month Panguni (March–April), Saptasthana festival  in the month Chithirai (April–May), Thirumanjanam in the month Aani (June–July), Aadi Perukku & Aadi Pooram in the month (July–Aug), and monthly pradoshams

This is one of the 12 Shiva Temples that participate in the Mahamaham Theerthavari festival, which occurs once in 12 Years. The 12 Shiva temples and 5 Vaishnava temples of Kumbakonam used to join and celebrate this Mahamaha festival.

Shiva Temples are…

1.          Kasi Viswanathar Temple,

2.          Adi Kumbeswarar Temple,

3.          Someswarar Temple,

4.          Nageswaraswamy Temple,

5.          Kalahasteeswarar Temple,

6.          Gauthameswarar Temple,

7.          Kodeeswarar Temple,

8.          Amirthakadeswarar Temple,

9.          Banapuriswarar Temple,

10.      Abhi Mukheswarar Temple,

11.      Kambatta Viswanathar Temple and

12.      EkambareswararTemple.

The Maha Vishnu Temples are…

1.          Sarangapani Temple,

2.          Chakrapani Temple, 

3.          Ramaswamy Temple,

4.          Rajagopalaswamy Temple, and

5.          Varaha Perumal Temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 29.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :  

The landline number +91 435 243 0349 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

Private town buses are available from the Kumbakonam bus terminus. Govt bus route numbers - 11, 12, 14, 15, 25, 29, 48, & 61 pass through this temple. The temple is on the side of Potramarai kulam. Landmark Mottai Gopuram

This temple is 37.5 km from Mayiladuthurai, 39 km from Thanjavur 398 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---