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

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

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 has 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 is facing east with 5 tier Rajagopuram which is kept locked and entrance is from road side. Dwajasthambam, balipeedam and Rishabam are in front of the sanctum. In 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 outer prakaram  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 prakaram.   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 Ambal sanctum.

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and artha mandapam. A Vesara Vimana is on the sanctum.

The 15^th 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

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There is a saying that “கோயில் பெருத்தது கும்பகோணம்”, the Kumbakonam has many temples both Saivam and Vaishnavam. Even though in literatures, this place was mentioned as Kudamooku, now called as 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 spreads over 15 acres and it has 9 wells and 16 sannadhis around the 4 banks. Apart from small temples, the 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 temples, it has 14 Theerthas has, 7 Thadahas, 3 wells and 4 rivers steps. The maintenance of these tanks and Vimanas of 16 Shiva temples was built during Vijayanagara period by Achuthappa Nayak’s minister Govinda Deekshithar. He carried out all these through  Gold with thulabaram ie equal amount of his weight. His stone image is in 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, atc. Hope next to Chozhas, he was the person who had done this yemon service. He was also called as Ayyan so some of the places like Ayyampettai, Manakal Ayyampettai, Ayyan Street at Kumbakonam and Thanjavur are name after him. Hence he was praised is 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 as Amuthasarorukam and Kumbakonam. It is believed that 9 holy rivers starts with Ganga, Sarayu, Yamuna, Saraswati, Sindu, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri came in the form Nava Kannis took bath, hence called as “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 there 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 the 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 has got 5 veli land also sold to this Vanakavaraiyar.    

Kulothunga Chozha-III’s 11^th reign year inscription records the endowment of land gifted as Thirunamattukani to Somanatha Swamy temple Somanatha mangalam by Thiraimuran Thyagavinothan. It is understood that it was a another part of Kudamukku. In this inscription Kulothunga Chozha was also called as 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 gave it 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 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 as  Kaya + Arokanam – Kayarokanam - Karonam. Planet Jupiter / Guru / Viyazhan and Chandran – Moon ( Soman ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence Lord Shiva is called as “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 embraced the rudra amsa / Rudra form this temple is called as Kayaroganam ( Kaya – body, Aroganam – embrace ), But in Thirugnanasambandar Thevaram,

தேனார்  மொழியாள் திளைத்தங்காடித் திகழும் குடமூக்கில்

கானார் நட்டம் உடையார் செல்வக்காரோனத்தாரே 

he mentions Ambal’s name ( saka Umesam ), this is the Paadal Petra Sthalam.

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

At the end of each yuga, Lord Shiva destroys the living things on the whole earth through Pralaya. Brahma asked Lord Shiva from where to creates 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, soil of various holy places and the amirtha in the pot. At the end of the yuga Lord Shiva asked Brahma to leave the pot to float in the pralaya flood water. When the pot reached this place Lord Shiva in the form of Kirathamurthy shoots the pot with an arrow. The pot had broken and the amirtha mixed with soil spilled and spreads on this place Kumbakonam. The soil with amrita formed a Shiva Linga.  Hence Lord Shiva is called as Adi Kumbeswarar, temple is called as Adi Kumbeswarar Temple and this place is called as 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 nostril. Hence this place is called as “Kudamooku” ( Kudam – pot, mooku – nostrils ). The Mango leaves, the sacred grass ( Tharpai ), hoop ( uri ), bell tree leaves ( bilva ), Coconut and the sacred thread ( poonool ) which adorns the pot had fallen in different place due to swril of the pralaya wind. They formed Shiva Lingas and latter as temples around this place. As per the puranas, the life of the living things started from this place and this is treated one of the Thiruvilaiyadal of Lord Shiva.

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

PoRRamarai tank is in front of the temple. 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 rejuvenate all the 9 holy rivers.   

There are different cults in worshiping Lord Shiva. They are Saivam, Pasupatham, Kapalikam, Kalamugam 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 Pasupatham, worshiped Lord Shiva of Kashi, Kanchipuram, Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam. Hence this temple is called as 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

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 29.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :  

Land line number +91 435 243 0349 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 

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

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

Nearest Railway station is Kumbakonam.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

(First Visit Same view)

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---