Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram
Shiva as Someswara, with consort Rajarajeswari temple · Bhimavaram (Gunupudi), West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India
Somarama is a Shiva temple in the Gunupudi area of Bhimavaram town, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Shiva is worshipped here as Someswara in the form of a linga. The West Godavari district administration calls it the Gunupudi Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple.
Somarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras, the group of Shiva temples in Andhra Pradesh that, according to legend, each hold a fragment of a single linga. According to tradition, the linga here was installed by Chandra, the Moon god, which is how the temple got its name: Soma is another name for the Moon.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram
The Pancharama legend is told in several versions. In the account summarised by The Hans India and Wikipedia, the asura king Tarakasura carried a Shiva linga that made him invincible, so that his body re-formed after every blow. Kumaraswamy (Kartikeya) could defeat him only by shattering the linga. Its five pieces fell at different places in Andhra Pradesh, where they were installed and temples were built. The Hans India records the tradition that Indra, Surya, Chandra, Vishnu and Kumaraswamy each installed one fragment. Wikipedia's Pancharama article says the piece at Somarama is the one that fell from Tarakasura's neck, and that Chandra worshipped Shiva here in atonement.
The five Pancharamas are Amararama at Amaravati, Draksharama at Draksharamam, Somarama at Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama at Palakollu and Kumararama at Samarlakota. Pilgrims often visit them as a circuit. Deccan Chronicle reported in 2025 that Andhra Pradesh Tourism was running special buses from Vijayawada to all five temples, including the Someswara Swamy temple at Bhimavaram, during the month of Kartika.
The linga at Somarama is especially known for its colour. The district administration, The Hans India and Wikipedia all record the belief that it changes with the phases of the moon. It is said to appear white on full-moon days and dark, almost black, on new-moon (Amavasya) days.
Heritage
History of Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram
The West Godavari district administration credits the main construction of the temple to King Chalukya Bheema. The date given for this king varies between published accounts, so this page does not state a construction date until it can be checked against an archaeological or epigraphic source.
Wikipedia describes Somarama as an old temple that also has newer wall paintings and sculptures. It is an active temple with a temple office and an Executive Officer, according to the district administration.
Architecture and sacred features
Like the other Pancharama temples, Somarama is a two-storeyed stone temple, The Hans India notes. Wikipedia describes the layout: a lotus pond called Chandrakundam in front, a large gopuram at the entrance, a hall with shrines to Rama and Hanuman, a large Nandi in the main hall, and the small linga of Someswara in the sanctum. Unusually, a shrine of the goddess Annapurna stands on the upper storey, above the Shiva sanctum. The district administration also notes a shrine of Adilakshmi to the south of the sanctum, a sacred tank called Soma Gundam to the east, a 15-foot pillar in front of the main entrance, and shrines to Anjaneya, Kumaraswamy, the Navagrahas, Surya and Ganesha. Wedding halls on two floors are used for marriages.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Crowds are heavy on Maha Shivaratri and on the Mondays of Kartika month, when many pilgrims visit the five Pancharama temples. Confirm current darshan timings and arrangements with the temple's Executive Officer before visiting.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with Temple Executive Officer (per the district administration) before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram
Maha Shivaratri
One of the temple's main festivals, when, according to Wikipedia, the temple chariot is taken out.
Sarannavaratri
Listed by Wikipedia among the main festivals, for the goddess Rajarajeswari.
Kartika Masam
Pilgrims visit the five Pancharama temples during this month; Andhra Pradesh Tourism has run special buses covering Somarama.
Location
How to Reach Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram
Bhimavaram is well connected by bus and train with other parts of the state, according to the district administration. Ksheerarama at Palakollu, another of the Pancharamas, is about 20 km away, so the two are often visited together.
Location: Bhimavaram (Gunupudi), West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, India
More in Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh · Shiva as Someswara, with consort Rajarajeswari temples · Temples in Gunupudi · Temples in Bhimavaram Mandal · Temples in West Godavari District
Questions
Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Somarama?
It is the Someswara Swamy temple at Gunupudi, Bhimavaram, one of the five Pancharama Kshetras of Shiva in Andhra Pradesh.
Who installed the linga at Somarama?
According to tradition, Chandra, the Moon god, installed the linga, which is why Shiva is called Someswara here.
Does the Somarama linga change colour?
Devotees believe so. The district administration, The Hans India and Wikipedia record that it appears white on full-moon days and dark on new-moon days.
What are the five Pancharama temples?
Amararama (Amaravati), Draksharama (Draksharamam), Somarama (Bhimavaram), Ksheerarama (Palakollu) and Kumararama (Samarlakota).
What is unusual about the Annapurna shrine at Somarama?
It stands on the upper storey, directly above the Shiva sanctum, according to the district administration and Wikipedia.
Which Pancharama temple is closest to Somarama?
Ksheerarama at Palakollu, about 20 km away, according to the district administration.
Sources and attribution
- District Administration, West Godavari (Government of Andhra Pradesh) — Tourist Places (Gunupudi Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple)
- District Administration, West Godavari (Government of Andhra Pradesh) — Somarama (temple page)
- The Hans India — One Lingam, Five Temples (3 March 2018)
- Deccan Chronicle — APTDC to operate special buses to Pancharama temples (22 October 2025)
- Wikipedia — Somarama
- Wikipedia — Pancharama Kshetras
Further reading: Somarama Temple (Someswara Swamy Temple), Bhimavaram on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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Pilgrim Circuit