Shri Sanatanam: Temple Series - Part 5 (Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Temple)

Hare Krishna!

There are number of temples for Srimannarayan and his different forms. One of them is Sri Soumyanatha Swamy temple.

Location:

Sri Soumyanatha Swamy temple is located in the village named Nandaluru of Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh.

The temple has 4 raja gopurams overlooking the 4 directions whereas one of them was damaged.The main deity, Sri Soumyanatha swamy will be facing East.

At the entrance of the temple, we can also see a small mandir of Sri Garudalvar.

Upalayam of Sri Anjaneya swamy:

Koneru of Sri Soumyanatha swamy:

Chakra snanam (at the time of Brahmotsavams of Lord) is done in this Koneru.

Mukha mandapam of Lord is also called as Matsya mandapam here. Because there’s a fish carved on the upper surface of the wall. There’s a story about this fish. It’s said that in future, due to heavy rains water will come inside the temple and touches the fish. Then, this fish get’s life and this symbolizes Kaliyuaganth.

Following is the murthy of Sri Soumyanatha swamy:

The idol here resembles the idol of Tirumala Sri Venkateswara swamy. But, the only difference is that here, mulamurthy will be Abhaya Hasta posture whereas Tirumala Venkateswara swamy will be in Kativarada posture.

There’s also a Yoga Narasimha swamy upalayam here. And also there’s a legend about it. Sri Yoganarasimha swamy murthy was found in the koneru of this temple. Priests just kept that murthy aside. Then, after closing the temple, people heard roaring of lion from the temple for few days. Then, all discussed and constructed upalay for Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy and worshiped daily. After that, lion roaring sound was stopped!!!!!!!

Surprising fact about this temple is that Sri Soumyanatha swamy is clearly visible in both sunrise and sunset without any bright source of light coming to the temple. On some special occasions, sun rays directly touches the feet of Lord.

Every year, during the month of June/July, Kalyanotsav of Soumyanatha swamy is performed.

Sri Annamacharya also praised Soumyanatha swamy. He praised Lord here with the name “Chokka natha”. Almost Annamacharya worshiped Lord with 16 Sankeerthans.