Someswaram Temple is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. More specifically, this temple is situated in Kotipalli (Kumararama), a village located in Gangavaram mandal in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Kotipalli is located on the banks of the River Goutami Godavari. This temple is also known by the name of Uma Parvathi Devi Sahita Someswara Swamy Vari Temple. Devotees in this temple worship Lord Shiva in the form of Someswara Swamy or Koteeshwara Swamy and his consort Parvati in the form of Rajarajeswari. This temple is considered to be an important pilgrimage center in coastal Andhra Pradesh and one of the five well known pancharama shrines dedicated to Shiva in Andhra Pradesh.

History of Someswaram Temple
According to mythology, the moon god, Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva at Someswara Swamy at the mouth of River Godavari, being cursed by Daksha that he would lose his brilliance.

The story of Ahalya-Indra or Saapa Vimochanam (meaning relieving of curse) in the grand epic of Ramayana, is also pertinent to Someswaram Temple. Indra, the king of Devas lusted after Ahalya, the wife of Rishi Gowtama. As per his scheme, he distracted Gowtama with the help of a ploy in order to disguise himself as Gowtama. He then embraced Ahalya. The rishi reacted becoming furious and consequently cursed his wife. She then turned into a rock. Ahalya was later relieved of the curse by Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Indra, for his deed was accursed to live a life of afflictions. He lived through his curse and performed severe penances. Rishi Gowtama was relieved of his curse after a dip in the Godavari River at Someswaram. Rishi Gowtama is believed to have brought River Godavari down to the earth from the heaven at Tryambakeshwar. At this place, River Godavari is known as the River Ganga.

According to Brahmanda Puranam and Gowthami Mahatyam, there are three famous idols of Kasyapa Maharshi, Lord Indra and Lord Chandra at Someswaram. It is believed that Kasyapa Maharshi established a shrine for Siddhi Janardhana Swamy along with his consorts, Sridevi and Bhudevi, known as Kshetra Palaka. Lord Indra founded the Koteswara Lingam along with Ammavaru or Parvati, in order to free himself from his sins. Lord Chandra established Someswara Lingam with Raja Rajeswari Ammavaru in order to make amends for his sin and also free himself from his curse. The Someswara lingam is made of crystal and apparently glows with different levels of brightness, which is said to be dependent on the phase of the moon. This Shivalingam is 5 feet in height and is placed in a two-storied sanctum. The sanctum on the second floor has Annapurna or Parvati. In Gowthami Mahatyam, it is written that a holy dip in the waters of the River Godavari or Gowthami is believed to purify and relieve one of the negative effects of all his sins.

Water Tank and Pradakshina Mandapams of Someswaram Temple A big water tank known as the Soma Pushkarini is located in front of the temple. This holy kshetram has earlier been visited by Kanchi Kama Koti Peethadhipathi and Shringeri Jagadguru. Four Pradakshina Mandapams adorn the premises of the temple. In these Mandapams, there are the Kalabhairava Swamy temple, the Shankaracharya Mandir along with Chandra Mouliswara Lingam and a Navagraha temple along with Uma Sametha Mrityunjaya Lingam.

Festivals of Someswaram Temple
Someswaram Temple is known for the celebration of various festivals. Magha Bahula Chaturdashi also known as Maha Shivaratri, Ksheerabdi Dwadashi Teppotsavam, Sri Swami Vari Kalyanam and Navarathri festival are the different festivals of Someswaram Temple. Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the month of February or March. Ksheerabdi Dwadashi Teppotsavam is celebrated in the month of November, also known as Kartika Masam. Swami Vari Kalyanam is celebrated in the month of May or Visakha Suddha Ekadashi and the Navarathri festival is celebrated in the month of October or from Aswayuja Suddha Padyami to Dwadashi.

Visiting Information
Nearest airport to Someswara Temple in Kotipalli is Rajahmundry Airport. It is located at a distance of about 74 km from the temple. Nearest railway station to Someswara Temple is Kotipalli Railway Station. It is located at a distance of about 2 km from the temple. Buses are available from all the major places in Andhra Pradesh. Kotipalli Bus terminus is just 400 meters away from the temple. Kotipalli is located at a distance of about 38 Km from Kakinada. It is located at a distance of about 15 Km from Amalapuram and is approachable by a ferry or a boat.

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