BHIMAVARAM - SOMARAMAM

This sacred shrine dedicated to Maheswara is situated in Gunupudi, an integral part lying to the east of Bhimavaram, the district head quarters town of the same name in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the Pancharamams sanctified by the falling of one of the five broken chips of Amritalinga worn by Tarakasura'. So the background is same as the other four kshetras. The archamurti Sivalinga is fairly a big one measuring about five feet in height. The temple faces east and has a high charming tower over the Mahadwar. The temple is two storeyed and enshrines Someswaralinga in the ground floor and the image of Mother Parvathi in the first floor in the name of Annapura. This Sivalinga was installed by the Moon-god-Soma and hence the temple is called Someswaraswamy Aalayam and its puranic name is Somaramam. The crystal linga reflects the waning and waxing of Moon - i.e. appearing bright for fifteen days like the Moon and dim- in the next fortnight. On full moon days it appears white and on new moon days brown and black.

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