Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy Temple (Somarama)
Gunupudi, Bhimavaram, West Godavari district · Lord Shiva as Someswara, with Goddess Annapurna (shrine on the upper floor) and Rajarajeswari; Sri Janardhana Swamy (Vishnu) and Anjaneya also have shrines
The moon's own Pancharama – a linga said to turn white at full moon and dark at new moon.
Somarama, in the Gunupudi area of Bhimavaram, is the Pancharama installed by Chandra (Soma), the moon god. Its fame rests on a belief that the linga changes colour with the lunar cycle: white or creamy on Pournami (full moon) and dark, almost black, on Amavasya (new moon). Unusually, the shrine of Goddess Annapurna sits on the floor directly above the Shiva sanctum.
Timings
- Morning (official portal): 5:00 AM – 12:00 noon (sarva darshan from 6:00 AM)
- Midday closing: 12:00 noon – 4:00 PM
- Evening: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Karthika Masam / Pournami / Amavasya: Hours may be extended. Check locally.
Darshan types and costs
- Sarva darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Mahanyasa Abhishekam – ₹50 (Daily, 6:00 – 10:00 AM)
- Thailabhishekam (oil abhishekam) – ₹30 (Daily, 6:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
- Archana – ₹10 (Daily, 4:00 – 7:00 PM)
- Santhi Homam – ₹200 (Daily, 6:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
- Laksha Patri Pooja – ₹1,116 (Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Laksha Kumkuma Pooja – ₹516 (Daily, 4:00 – 5:00 PM)
- Sri Swamy vari Kalyanam – ₹516 (in person) (Daily, 4:00 – 8:00 PM)
- Sri Janardhana Swamy / Sri Anjaneya Swamy Nitya Pooja – ₹316 each (Daily, 6:00 – 7:30 AM)
- Varshika Abhishekam (annual) – ₹816 (Once a year, 6:00 – 7:00 AM slot)
- Saswatha Pooja (10 years) – ₹5,116 (Once a year for 10 years, 6:00 – 8:00 AM slot)
- Annaprasana / Barasala (naming) / Upanayanam – ₹200 / ₹200 / ₹500 (Daily, 6:00 AM – 12:00 noon)
- Paroksha Abhishekam – ₹50 (Daily, 6:00 – 7:00 AM)
- Paroksha Ashtothara Pooja – ₹100 (Daily, 4:00 – 7:30 PM)
- Paroksha Eka Rudrabhishekam – ₹200 (Daily, 6:00 – 10:30 AM)
- Paroksha Sri Swamy vari Kalyanam – ₹3,116 (Daily, 4:00 – 8:00 PM)
How to book darshan
In-person sevas at the temple counter. Paroksha (remote) sevas are listed on the AP Endowments portal under 'Sri Someswara Janardhana Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Gunupudi'.
AP Endowments portal (tms.ap.gov.in)
Dress code
Traditional dress preferred, and expected for abhishekam. Men: pancha/dhoti or kurta-pyjama. Women: saree, half-saree or churidar with dupatta.
Best time to visit
October–February. Pournami or Amavasya if you want to see the linga's colour; Karthika Mondays (16, 23, 30 Nov and 7 Dec 2026) and Maha Shivaratri (6 Mar 2027) are the most crowded.
How to reach
- air: Rajahmundry airport (about 80–90 km) or Vijayawada airport (about 120 km).
- rail: Bhimavaram Town and Bhimavaram Junction stations, a few km away.
- road: In Gunupudi, on the edge of Bhimavaram; autos from the bus stand. Palakollu (Ksheerarama) is about 25 km away.
Festivals
- Karthika Masam – 10 Nov – 8 Dec 2026
- Karthika Pournami – 24 Nov 2026
- Maha Shivaratri – Saturday 6 March 2027 (Maha Shivaratri; panchang dates can differ by a day locally)
- Sarannavaratri – Sep/Oct