Shri Somnathar temple at Poundaragapuram

This Shiva temple is situated at Poundaragapuram near Kumbhakonam. It is about 10 kms from Kumbhakonam on Kumbhakonam-Karaikal road. This is one of the saptasthana Shiva temples associated with Thiruneelakudi. The place derives its name from a special type of yagnya named Poundalika. This yagnya was conducted by the Rajaguru of the Chola King – Kulothunga-I. The present structure is more than 1200 years old. The temple is on the bank of Vennar – a tributary of Kaveri. 

Mulavar: Shri Somanathswamy. 

The present condition of the temple is such that it is in ruins. The shrine of Devi Ambika may collapse at anytime. There is a stone sculpture at the entrance of this temple. It has a trishul, Shri Chandra & Shri Surya sculptured on it with a pig at the bottom. This type of stone sculptures were usually used in Shiva temples and were known as Soolakal. The pig was royal ensign of the Chalukya and Vijaynagar kings. This is an east facing temple. Nandi is in a mandap facing sanctum. In the parikrama we have the balipeetha. The sanctum is Linga shaped and mulavar is a Shiva linga. There are staircases to reach the mandap. At the entrance to the sanctum, we come across sculptures of dwarpalakas. Koshta murtis are – Shri Vinayaka, Shri Dakshinamurti, Shri Lingothbhavar, Shri Bramha, Shri Rishabhaarudhar, Shri Ardhanarishwarar, Shri Saraswati Devi, Shri Lakshmi, Shri Gangadhara, Shri Chandrashekhar, Shri Bhikshadanar and Shri Bhairavar. The anugraha murti is Shri Chandikeshwarar. He is in a mandap similar to the temple at Gangaikondacholapuram. All the idols are damaged. We come across a sculpture of Shri Shiva, gifting Pasupatha astra to Arjun. Aadhikara nandi is at the entrance. Idols of Ganga visarjana and Chandal roop Murti are in the mandap. The shrine of Shri Parvati Devi is sculptured with 2 upper hands holding Akshamala and Lotus flower whereas the lower hands are in Abhay and Varad mudra. Shri Ganesha shrine is at the southwest corner. It is believed that Shri Yama worshiped Shri Shiva at this temple. 

There is no one around to take care or guard and give information about this temple.

Courtesy: Various websites and blogs