History, Importance, Interesting Facts, Facilities, Festivals and Travel Guide of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Simhachalam, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Someshwara Temple is solely dedicated to Lord Shiva, Sri Someswara Janardhana swamy locates in Bhimavaram, West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the five Pancharama Tirth Kshetras of Lord Shiva along with Amararama Temple in Amaravathi, Draksharama Temple in Draksharamam, Kumararama Temple in Samalkoti and Ksheera Rama Temple in Palakollu. Bhimavaram is located at 65 km from Eluru, 76 km from Rajahmundry, 22 km from Palakollu – another Panchrama Kshetra, 117 km from Vijayawada, 116 km from Kakinada, and 277 km from Visakhapatnam.
It is one of the temple where the colour paintings is been done so looks like new even after hundreds of years. The speciality of the Lingam of the Shiva is that it changes its colour according to lunar aspect. At the time of pournami (full moon nights) Lingam will be white in colour while in Amavasya (dark nights) the Lingam colour shades to black. It is said that temple construction was made by the King Chalukya Bheema during 4th century. The Shiva lingam is called someshwara as this lingam was installed by Lord Chandra.
As per the legend of this place and existence of Lord Shiva here is, during Tarakasura vadha, the Amrutha Atma Linga which was theft by demon Tarakasura. Due to this he was unbeatable by any of the God, then as per advice of Lord Vishnu, Kartikeya – Kumara swami son of Lord Shiva and Parvati broke this into five pieces and one of the piece was fallen down here. The piece of Shiv linga was installed and worshiped here by Lord Chandra here and famous as Pancharama place of southern India.
At the front side of the temple, there is a pond called Chandrakundam which is usually covered with lotus. There is a big statue of Nandi, Annapurna Mata, Lord Srirama and Hanuman are present. To the east side of this temple, there is a Pushkarini pond which is also called Soma Gundam. Marriage hall is also been present in the temple where the marriages are being still held. The speciality of the temple is that the Goddess Annapurna is built on top of the Shiva temple, which is surprisingly never seen anywhere. The 15 m height pillar is constructed in front of the big Gopuram.
The Annapurna Mata has a sacred thread around her neck and a baby near her feet. Maha Shiv Ratri and Sarannavarathri are the main festivals celebrated at this temple.
How to reach Someshwara Temple, Bhimavaram – the public buses are very easily available to reach Bhimavaram. Temple is at a walkable distance from the Bhimavaram Bus Station. The nearest Railway Station is Bhimavaram Railway Station at a distance of 1.7kms. The nearest Airport is Rajahmundry Airport at a distance of 91kms.
