Someswar Temple, Lakshmeshwar – The Temple Complex

Someswar Temple, Lakshmeshwar – The Temple Complex

This temple complex is facing towards east and is completely enclosed within fortified walls. The temple consists of sanctum, ardha mandapa with entrance porches on southern and northern sides and ranga mandapa with entrances on eastern, northern, and southern sides. The sanctum enshrines an unusual image of Lord Shiva and Parvati riding a Nandi (bull) which is standing over a pedestal. Lord Shiva is seen sitting in the front while goddess Parvati is sitting behind him.

The deity is called as Saurashtra Someshwara as the idol is believed to have been brought by a merchant from Saurashtra. This is considered to be the only place where Shiva is worshipped in the form of an idol and not as a Linga. The exterior walls are profusely decorated with pilaster designs, floral motifs, kirtimukhas, geometrical patterns, ashta dikpalas and carvings of various deities. However, the external walls suffered much deterioration due to the vagaries of time.

The mahadwara pillars are in the style of later Chalukyas, whereas the cornices belong to the Vijayanagar style. The interiors of dakshina mahadwara exhibit the Vijayanagar style, while its exteriors fall into the later Chalukyan period. There are 16 bell-shaped decorated pillars in the navaranga. There are around ten subsidiary shrines in the temple complex. All these shrines exhibit Vijayanagara style of architecture.

Idols of Chaturbhuj Ganapati and goddess Mahishasuramardhini can be seen in the temple premises. There are few halls in the temple complex meant for devotees to take rest. There is an open step well situated behind the main shrine. This step well is richly carved and ornamented. The well is accessible by a flight of stairs. The well actually begins beneath the temple and extends outward. There is an entrance to the well just next to the temple. The water from this well is used for the pooja and the temple use.