Soma Ramam. Pancha Ramam

The Shiva Lingam is established by Lord Chandra (The Moon), is one of the Pancharamas (Five most Shivalingas). Somaramam was also called pagunaraseema of Pavunaraseema in olden days. Gosthanee River flows adjacent to Gunupudi. 

Someswara swamy temple: This temple is located in Gunupudi (Bhimavaram) in West Godavari District. This temple was built in 3^rd Century AD. Temple is an ancient one but looks as new one due to colourful paintings and beautiful sculptures on the walls with a Huge Gopuram at entrance. There is a pond called Chandrakundam is in front of temple fully covered with beautiful lotus flowers. A big hall on the left side of temple with Lord Sri Rama and Hanuman mandirs are present. There is an open hall over the temple office opposite of Ram Mandir. Big statue of Nandi is present at the entrance of main temple. Temple of Mata Annapurna is also present in the hall.

We can see Lord Shiva; the Main deity is in the form of a beautiful Shiva lingam. This temple has smallest Shiva lingam of Pancharamas. Special feature of the Shiva Lingam in this temple is Shivaling transforms its colour as per moons evolution. On Dark nights (Amavasya), Shiva lingam will be in Dark brown/black shades and during Full Moon nights (Pournami) shines in a beautiful white colour. This is the one and only Shiva Lingam in the world with the special features which eye can’t believe.

History

Rakshas Tarakasura is a Siva Baktha worshipped with great devotion and presented by Amrita Linga from Lord Siva. As long as the Amritha Linga is around his neck Tarakasura is safe and immortal. The Rakshas makes troublesome to the devathas with that boon. So, Kumara Swamy (MURUGA), declared war on Tarakasura with the requests of Devathas and struggled to win. He realized that the Amrita Linga with Tarakasura is the protective power. Kumara Swamy targeted and separated the Amrita Linga with his powers. 5 different pieces of Amritha Linga scattered at 5 different regions after breaking from Tarakasuras neck and known as Pancha Ramas.

Moon was Kidnapped Prisoned

A fine day Gandharvas (famous for their beauty in Gandharvaloka) took away and made him as their prisoner at Gandharvaloka, jealous on Moon because of his beautiful looking and praises of gods. Every one worried about vanishing of moon, approached Lord Brahma for sake of Moon. Goddess Saraswathi was sent to Gandharvaloka as emissary with all others followed to find and bring back the Chandra from Gandharvas. Goddess Saraswathi succeeded in getting Moon out from the prison of Gandharvaloka in exchange of herself to stay there. All deities took Moon back leaving Maa Saraswathi alone.

One day Maa Saraswathi requested king of Gandharvaloka to let her free and finally reached Sathyaloka and stayed there along Brahma. Then Gandharvas continued to harass Chandra (Moon) and tried to Kidnap Moon once again. Chandra approached for the help of Lord Brahma for an advice to overcome the problem with Gandharvas. As per Lord Brahma advice worshipped Lord Shiva with great Devotion along with all deities at this place. Lord Shiva appeared and stated that Moon will be free and no obstacles occur again and vanished.

In the name of Moon god, who first worshipped after forming Lord Shiva kshetra, named this place as Somaramam and Lord Shiva as Someswara swamy.

The temple consists of Lord Anjaneya Swamy, God Kumara Swamy, Navagraha, Sun God, Lord Ganesha.

Temple timings - 5.00am to 11.00am and 4.00pm to 8.00pm. 

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