Chaya Someswara Temple, Panagal – The Temple

Chaya Someswara Temple, Panagal – The Temple

This temple is facing towards east. The temple has entrances from three sides, but the main entrance is facing towards south. The temple consists of Navaranga, Antarala and Sanctum. The temple is constructed in Trikutachala style, consisting of three sanctums, one each on north, east and west. Only the main sanctum, in the west, is provided with antarala (vestibule), the rests directly opens into the common mandapa (Navaranga).

The eastern shrine houses Lord Surya and northern shrine houses Lord Vishnu. Only Peeta is available in these shrines. The sanctum houses Lord Someswara / Chaya Someswara in the form of Shiva Lingam. The lingam is generally kept in knee deep water. All the three shrines are crowned with stepped Pyramidal shikaras. The temple got the name as it is believed that the formation of mysterious shadow (Chaya in Telugu) of a pillar falls over the main deity of Shiva Lingam throughout the day irrespective of the position of the sun.

It looks like a shadow of one of the pillars carved in front of the sanctum, but it is not actually the shadow of any pillar. The dark area is formed by the reflection of light through multiple pillars placed in front of sanctum and the shadow is a consolidated shadow of those pillars. The pillars in the temple are strategically placed so that the light falls at the same place throughout the day.

There are shrines for Vinayaga, Kartikeya, Mohini, Bhairava, Nataraja, and Kalika Mata in the temple premises. Seven beheaded Nandis can be found in the temple premises. Most of the idols in this temple suffered destruction during Islamic invasion. The pillars are decorated with intricate carvings depicting scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Sthala Vriksham is Avathambar tree. Theertham associated with this temple is Udayasamudram.