Nandalur Soumyanatha Swami Temple
Subbs shan
I got an opportunity to visit Nandalur, Soumyanatha Swami temple recently. So, I want to share the details of the temple with you.
About Soumyanatha Swami Temple Information-Nandalur
The prime attraction of Nandalur is the temple of Soumyanatha Swami. Soumyanatha Swami is another name and form of Lord Venkateshwara. The temple is constructed with 108 pillars and spreads over an area of about ten acres. The temple resembles Thiruvannamalai which was ruled by the Pandyas, Vijayanagara, Cholas, Matli Kings and Pottapi.
As you go around the temple, you ll come across many amazing facts that leave you astonishing. One such captivating fact of this temple is that the deity can be visible from sunrise to sunset without any source of light in the temple. Another fascinating thing is, though the idol of the deity is at a distance of 100 feet from the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, the deity of the God is visible clearly. It leaves you wondering and incredulous but yet, a true fact. On a particular day of the year, the sun rays touch the feet of the main deity in this temple.
The mysteries do not end here. It is said that on a full moon day if a water vessel is placed at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, the image of the Lord is reflected in the water even at a distance of 100 feet. To believe these mystifying facts, you have to see it all yourself by visiting this temple.
The whole of the temple is constructed with red-stone. Though the temple is in Andhra Pradesh, which is a Telugu State, you can see more of Tamil inscriptions on the temple walls rather than Telugu. On the walls of the temple you can find many symbols of fish, the Sun and the Moon. This can give you an impression of the beliefs and civilization of the then society. You can also see a carving of a huge fish on the ceiling of the temple. The local people say that some day in future the fish will turn alive and swim in the ocean.
A distinguishing feature of the temple is that the pillars of the Mandapam (porch) have lion s head at the bottom of the pillar unlike other temples, which has it above the pillar. Because of this, the local people here say that there is another temple below this temple.
There are other small temples of Prayoga Narasimha Swami, Ganapati and Anjaneya and a huge Yagnashala. There is a small pond in the temple premises and a huge one outside. It is said that there are more than 100 Siva temples on the banks of Bahuda River, which flows close to the temple.
The Temple of Sri Soumyanatha Swamy
The prime attraction of Nandalur is the temple of Soumyanatha Swami. Soumyanatha Swami is another name and form of Lord Venkateshwara. The temple has four Raja gopurams overlooking the four directions. The main idol is Sri Soumyanatha Swamy facing East. Legend has it that the Lord is another Avatara of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. Tirupati is towards the east of Nandalur. The idol resembles the idol of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirupati, the only difference being here in Nandalur, the Lord has "Abhaya Hastham" carved on it; normally in all the temples dedicated to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the idol will be carved "Kati Hastham". The temple also contains a shrine dedicated to Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy near to the entrance of the sanctorum. Every year during the month of July, Kalyanotsavam to the Lord is performed at the temple. Nandalur is one of the two temples in Cuddapah district where the Government sends pearls to the Lord during the performance of Kalyanotsavam; the other place is Ontimitta which is about 16 kilometers from Nandalur.
Though the temple is in Andhra Pradesh, which is a Telugu-speaking state, there are more Tamil inscriptions on the temple walls than Telugu inscriptions. On the walls of the temple there are symbols depicting fish, the Sun and the Moon. There is also a carving of a huge fish on the ceiling of the temple. Local tradition states that some day the fish will turn alive and swim in the ocean.
The whole of the temple is constructed with redstone. The pillars of the Mandapam (porch) have lion's heads at the bottom of the pillar. There are other small temples of Prayoga Narasimha Swami, Ganapati and Anjaneya and a huge Yagnashala in the complex. There is also small pond in the temple premises.
Soumyanatha Swami Temple History-Origin-Importance-Architecture
The chronicles has it that this temple was built during the reign of Chola Dynasty. It was King Kulotunya who actually initiated the construction of this temple in 11th century AD. Later, until 17th century, this temple was patronized by the kings of various dynasties like Pandyas, Kakatiyas and Vijayanagaran. It was during the rule of Patiraja Dynasty that the temple flourished in leaps and bounds.
As per some inscriptions of this temple, it has 120 acres of land for its development and maintenance. In the 12th century AD, Prataparudra of Kakatiya Dynasty constructed the "Gaali Gopuram" and donated the villages of Nandaluru, Adapuru, Mannuru, Mandaram and Hastavaram for the temple.
Tallapaka, the renowned birth place of poet Annamacharya is about 5kms from this place. Inscription also has it that, Annamacharya visited this temple and wrote 'Shrungara keertanalu'.
In the 16th century, Tiruvenganatha ruled the nearby places by making Kothapini as the capital. It is said that his wife Chanenamini donated diamond studded Shanka-Chakram, crown studded with diamonds, emeralds ear-rings and many more jewellery of precious metals for the temple.
Today, this temple is under the custody of ASI (Archaeological Survey of India).
How to reach Soumyanatha Swami Temple-Nandalur
This temple is at a distance 45 kms from Cuddapah and 10 kms from Rajampet. There are plenty of buses available from Cuddapah and Rajampet. The temple is about 15 minutes drive from Rajampet and falls on the right hand side while you are travelling towards Cuddapah.
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