Arulmigu Somanathar Samedha Sri Somakamalambikai Amman Temple is situated in Pazhayarai, which is considered to be the favourite place for the Chola Kings! Here Swamy is worshipped as Somanathar, and Ambal is worshipped as Somakamalambikai Amman. Here the holy temple pond is Soma Theertham. Temple tree is Amla Tree (Nelli Maram). Saint Appar has sung few songs in this temple in praise of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Chola queen Ma Kundavai had visited this temple several times during her life time.
On 30 April 2024, I have visited this wonderful Shiva Temple, but due to the scorching heat, and since my legs began to be burnt in the hot temperature, I was able to visit only the shrines of Lord Shiva and Ma Shakti Devi. At this summer season, devotees are advised to visit this temple either during early morning hours or otherwise they can visit this temple during evenings. Lord Shiva in this temple is a self-manifested one. This place is the birthplace of Amarneethi Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars, and this is also the birthplace of Mangayarkkarasiyar, who is also one of the 63 Nayanmars. The last consecration ceremony (Kumbabishekam) took place during the year 2016.
In ancient times, many Chola kings ruled from Pazhayarai. This temple was believed to have been built by Chola King Aditya and was then renovated by Chola King Raja Rajan.
It is believed that Chandran created a theertham here and worshiped the lord. He was relieved from his curses and regained his strength and brightness. The theertham created by him is known as Soma Theertham. The lord gets the name Soma Nathar and the goddess is praised as Soma Kamala Nayagi (“Soma” is another name for Chandran).
It is believed that Chandran, the serpent king Aadhi Seshan, Garudan, Ganga and Kamadenu’s daughter Vimali have worshipped the lord here. Other than the shrines of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy, shrines and idols of Vinayakar, Murugan with his consorts, Bairavar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Mangayarkarasi, Kailasa Nathar, Navagraham and Chandikeswarar can be seen in the temple. Idols of Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar with Vishnu and Brahma on his either side and Veera Durgai can also be seen.
Some of the important festivals celebrated here are Aadi Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug), Vinayakar Chaturthi in the Tamil month of Aavani (Aug-Sept), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Skanda Shashti and Annabishekam in the Tamil month of Aippasi (Oct–Nov), Thiru Karthikai in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec), Makara Sankranthi in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb), Maha Shivrathri in the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) and Panguni Uthiram in the Tamil month of Panguni (Mar-Apr). Pradosham is also observed regularly.
Temple Timings
From 07:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and from 05:00 PM to 08:00 PM.
Temple Address
Sri Somanathar Temple,
Pazhayarai Vadathali,
Patteeswaram Post,
Kumbakonam Taluk,
Tanjore District,
Tamil Nadu – 612 703.
Tele: +91 – 98945 69543.
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
DEVELOPED BY
R. HARISHANKAR