Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple, also known as Chhaya Someswara Swamy Temple or Saila-Someswara Temple, is a Saiva Hindu temple located in Panagal, Nalgonda District, Telangana, India. This historic temple was built around the middle of the 11th century during the rule of the Kunduru Chodas, a branch of the Telugu Cholas, and was later enhanced and embellished by the Hindu dynasties of Telangana. Some sources date its origin to the late 11th or early 12th century.

Chaya Someswara Temple, which fell into disrepair in the mid-20th century, has since been partially restored. It has a unique architectural design known as Trikutalayam consisting of three sanctuaries (shrines) dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. These sanctums are connected by a common hall (mandapam), which is decorated with intricately carved pillars reflecting the Telangana style of architecture. The carvings vividly depict scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas. The temple, which has three entrances, is an important pilgrimage site, especially during Maha Shivaratri.

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple is located near Pachala Someswara Temple, another famous Shaivite temple in Panagal. A remarkable feature of the Chaya Someswara Temple is the architectural ingenuity of its ardhamandapam and the open spaces surrounding the central Shiva temple. The pillars were strategically designed by the temple architect to cast a continuous shadow on the lingam throughout the day regardless of the position of the sun. This unique phenomenon earned the temple the name “Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple”.

location 

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple is located near Pachala Someswara Temple, another famous Shaivite temple in Panagal. A remarkable feature of the Chaya Someswara Temple is the architectural ingenuity of its ardhamandapam and the open spaces surrounding the central Shiva temple. The pillars were strategically designed by the temple architect to cast a continuous shadow on the lingam throughout the day regardless of the position of the sun. This unique phenomenon earned the temple the name “Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple”.

To the east of the village is an 11th century man-made water reservoir, set amidst lush paddy fields near Udayasamudra. The temple is located 1 km east from Pachala Someswara Temple and Panagal Archaeological Museum.

Chaya Someswara Temple History

Panagal, historically known as Panugullu or Panagulla in pre-14th century inscriptions and texts, is a place of significant historical importance. Early records identify it as one of the regional capitals of the Kadamba dynasty, from where the governors and kings of Andhradesa ruled parts of the Dakshina-Kshetra (Deccan region).

Panagal’s rich history includes numerous inscriptions found on stones, slabs and fragments near the temple, on broken slabs reconstructed in agricultural fields and in Muslim tombs. Inscriptions from other parts of the Deccan, the Mamillapalli and Ramalinga inscriptions further confirm the importance of Panagal. Some inscriptions refer to local rulers by site name, who are called Panugallu-Puravaresvara.

With Kirtivarman’s conquest, the Chalukyas took control of Panagal, encouraged its development and built small temples in the Chalukya style of architecture. Panagal served as one of the three capitals of the Chalukyas along with Vardhamanapuram and Kandur. Later, the Cholas (Chodas), Yadavas-Seins and Kakatiyas ruled their territories in Telangana from their administrative centers in Panagal. Northeast of the town, a sizable water reservoir was constructed in 1124 CE by Udayaraju, a monarch from a branch of the Telugu Chola dynasty.

Between about 1150 and 1250 CE, two prominent temples were built at Panagal, including the Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple. Although no foundation inscriptions have been found at the temple, its exact estimated date varies among scholars. Based on the architectural style and iconography, the Dhaka and Meister temple are dated to the mid-11th century, attributed to the Kundur Chodas. Other scholars suggest that it was built a little later than the early 12th century.

Nalgonda Chaya Someswara Temple

Description

Chaya Someswara Temple is a complex of shrines inside a prakara (compound) wall built of large stone blocks. At the heart of the complex is the main temple, once a dilapidated Trikuta shrine, but partially restored. The east facing temple has three entrances, the south gate is the largest and serves as the primary entrance.

Besides the main temple, there are six subsidiary temples inside the rampart walls. Of these, two are situated to the south, three to the west and one to the north of the main temple. These additional shrines are believed to have been built later than the main temple because of their lack of symmetry in layout. Exhibits architectural styles different from the central shrine.

The main trikuta temple consists of its shared mandapam (pilgrimage hall) and three sanctums, each formed into a regular cube with plain walls. Above each sanctum is a phamsana-style vimana structure, one of the many architectural forms described in ancient Sanskrit texts on temple design.

Each sanctum cube has at its base a modest adhisthana of Manchabandha class. At the pinnacle of each vimana is a Dravida-ghanta, a distinctive architectural feature described in the Aparajitaprachha, a classical Indian treatise on architecture.

The ceiling blocks of the Chhaya Someswara temple are intricately carved, with depictions of Ashta-Dikpala (guardians of the eight directions) and Natesa (dancing Lord Shiva) in the central part. However, these sculptures are smaller and more degraded compared to those at the nearby Pachala Someswara temple, perhaps reflecting a stylistic transition as they were gradually removed from Telangana Hindu temples by 1100 CE. The antarala (anteroom) of each sanctum is flanked by a pair of pillars, while the doorframes leading to the sanctum sanctorum are decorated with figures in the Pedyapinda section, though simpler than those of the Pachala temple.

The temple exemplifies the square principle of Hindu temple architecture throughout its design. This principle is evident in every aspect including sanctums, mukhamandapa (entrance hall), rangamandapa (assembly hall), antara and vimana structures. Columns, panels, niches and interior ceiling frames also adhere to this geometric principle, presenting a harmonious architectural coherence.

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple Timings

A magnificent architectural marvel, Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple is open to devotees: Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple is open for visitors from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm every day.

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple Distance 

Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple is an important historical and religious site located in Panagal, Nalgonda District, Telangana. Here is the approximate distance to the temple from some nearby cities:

Nalgonda: About 5 kilometers
Hyderabad: About 106 kilometers
Suryapet: About 43 kilometers

Warangal: About 134 kilometers

Vijayawada: About184 kilometers

How to reach Chaya Someswara Swamy Temple:

Road: The temple is well connected by road. You can reach Panagal by bus or taxi from Hyderabad, Nalgonda or Suryapet.
By Rail: Nearest Railway Station is Nalgonda. To go to the temple from there, you can take a bus or taxi.

Note: Distances may vary slightly depending on the specific route taken. It is advisable to consult local transport authorities for the most accurate information.

 

Also Read : Belum Caves Timings