Somanadeswarar Somangalam

Sriperumbudur Saivite Temples

God

Somanadeswarar, facing east

Goddess

Akilandeswari (also Kamakshiamman), facing south

Other Deities

Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Chandikeswara, Subramania, Muruga with consorts, Bhairava, Sapthamadar, Virukshalingam, Surya, Chandran, Naagar

Somanadeswarar Somangalam is one of the Navagraha temples situated around Chennai and represents the Moon. This ancient temple is east facing with an entrance gate from the south. The lord shrine is in the form of Gajaprastham. The Nandi here faces the east and not the lord as usual. Nataraja here is present as ‘Chathura Thaandava Murthy’ which is considered unique and rarely seen anywhere else. The idols here are beautiful.

The Navagraha Temples around Chennai are:

1. Kolampakkam – Agastheeswarar (Surya)
2. Somangalam – Somanatheeswarar (Chandran)
3. Poonamallee – Vaitheeswarar (Angaaragan)
4. Kovur – Sundareswarar (Budhan)
5. Porur – ramanatheswarar (Guru)
6. Mangadu – Velleeswarar (Sukran)
7. Pozhichalur – Agastheeswarar (Sani)
8. Kundrathur – Nageswarar (Rahu)
9. Gerugambakkam – Neelakandeswarar (Kethu)

Holy Water (Theertham) – Soma Theertham, Chanditheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Sara Kondrai (India Laburnum)

History

Somanadeswarar Somangalam dates back to the Chola period having been built by Kulothunga Chola in 1073 AD during his 3rd year of reign. According to inscriptions found here, this place was referred as ‘Jayamkonda Chola Mandalathu Senkaattu Kottathu Maaganoor Naattu Somangalamaana Rajasigaamani Chathurvedhi Mangalam’. They also reveal information about the damaged local lake, the repair works performed and about the cows donated to the temple to yield revenue to light the lamps in the temple.

Mythology

Somanadeswarar Somangalam is believed to have also been constructed by Somakaanthan, a Chola King who was on a mission to construct 108 Shiva Temples with Gajaprastha Vimaanam. While attending to the task here he was attacked by enemies and upon his lament to the lord on the disturbance during his holy mission the lord is said to have sent Nandi to head and ward off the enemies. The Nandi, on the command of the lord, after that has been facing east guarding, rather than looking at the lord as is usual. Chandran (Moon God) had 27 wives who were the 27 stars and considered the daughters of King Daksha. Unwilling to aver from his particular affection to Rohini he was cursed by Daksha for giving less importance to the others. He is believed to have come here, created the Chandratheertham, bathed in it and worshiped the lord to be relieved of the curse. Chandikeswara is also believed to have created another, Chanditheertham, and worshiped the lord here.

Directions

Somanadeswarar Somangalam is 10 kilometers west of Tambaram. Refer our map below for exact location.

Stay and Food

None locally except tea shops. Chennai is advisable.

Saivite Temples

Kancheepuram Temples

Tamilnadu Temples