The
Visit to this Sri Somanathaswami Temple at Pounddarigapuram was a part of the
“Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Temples Visit, in and around Kumbakonam”, on 13th
July 2024. The temple is under renovation and preparing for the consecration.
Moolavar : Sri Somanathaswami
Consort : Sri Soundarya Nayagi
Some
of the salient features of this temple are….
The
Temple faces east with a balipeedam and Rishabam. Dwarapalakas are on both
sides of the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum. A Rishabam and a Balipeedam are
in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. This temple
has 23 Deva Koshtas, around the Sanctum sanctorum and mandapam walls. A
Bairavar is kept on the floor for installation.
Vinayagar,
Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Chandikeswarar are in the outer praharam.
Ambal
is in a separate Sannidhi, facing South on the right side before the entrance
to the temple. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
ARCHITECTURE
The
temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antaral, ardha mandapam, and maha mandam.
The sanctum sanctorum is on a lotus petals platform / upanam, padabandha
adhistanam with Jagathy, vrudha kumudam, and pattikai. The Bhitti starts with
vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnu kantha pilasters with square base,
kalasam, kudam, lotus petals mandi, palakai, and Vettu pothyal. The Prastaram
consists of Valapi, kapota, and Viyyalavari. The temple was constructed with
stone from Adhistanam to Prastaram. The Vimanam above the Bhumi Desam was
constructed with bricks. The Vimanam consists of a tala, grivam, and Vesara
sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in
the Tala and Greeva Kostas.
The
Deva Koshta makara thoranas have the reliefs of Shiva’s various forms.
This
is one of the Chozha period temples, which has 22 nos of Deva koshtas. The Deva
koshta images are Adhikara Nandhi Deva, A man standing with legs crossed, (
both are on the east side of the mandapam ), Rishabanthigar, Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar,
Brahma, Durgai in three bhanga posture on Mahishan’s head and a Simham on the
back, Saraswati, Chandesa Anugraha Murthy, Shiva as Ganga Visarjanar, Thiripura
Samharar, Sankara Narayanar, Shiva, and Pichadanar.
HISTORY
AND INSCRIPTIONS
The
temple is believed to belong to the Kulothunga Chozha-I, later received
contributions from later Chozhas, Vijayanagara Nayakas, and Marathas.
LEGENDS
Out
of the seven Naga devatas, Ananda, Karkodaga, Poundareega, Suresha, Takshaka,
Visolpha, and Sangasooda are the seven prominent Naga devatas, Poundareegan,
worshiped Shiva of this temple. Hence the Village obtained the name of the Naga
Devata.
It
is believed that Chandran worshipped Shiva of this temple, hence Shiva obtained
the name of Somanatha Swamy.
POOJAS
AND CELEBRATIONS
The
temple is under renovation, no special poojas are conducted.
TEMPLE
TIMINGS
Since
oru kala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable.
CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW
TO REACH
This
temple is at Poundarigapuram, on the Ayyavadi to Abhishegamangalam Road, about
4 KM from Thirunageswaram Shiva Temple, 5 KM from Thiruvidaimarudur Shiva
Temple, 9 KM from Kumbakonam Railway Station, 29 KM from Mayiladuthurai, and 51
KM from Thanjavur.
Nearest
Railway Station is Kumbakonam.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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