Sri Chaya Someshwara Temple — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

Recent trip to this temple – left me (us) very DISAPPOINTED & frustrated. After reading the reviews, myself along with 2 senior citizens on a working day – went to visit the temple. Lots of photo shoots were happening (Wedding Related). Seriously those guys were so involved in their photoshoots and not even human to see a senior citizen walking with a stick & trying to get down the stairs. Ppl forget someday they also will get OLD too. Temple is extremely dilapidated, unmaintained. The main temple – young poojari (Brahmin Pundit) was ONLY interested in money (Paytm/ Gpay – UPI Payments). There was an AC duct (a good idea)and in spite of being humid and hot it wasn’t switched on. Realized depending upon the way people dress (more so shell out money – the AC would be switched on).

Deeply disappointed & frustrated – the young poojari (Brahmin Pundit) didn’t know any shlokas or chanting. He just knew 2shlokas and was repeating the same. When my mother asked for reciting of a shloka – ‘Rudram or Chamkam’. He said he has no time. Afte long insisting he finally confessed – he is learning and he doesn’t know. Lots of visitors come I’m sure the temple authorities can def afford to employ a learned Brahmin(Pundit – Veda School etc). No wonder temples have become a money-making organization. Some show guns and some God. When asked about the history or temple’s significance and uniqueness. He didn’t know and was only interested in the next set of people to fleece them of money (UPI payment). After insisting a lot – he switched off the light to show the , ‘Shadow – Chaya’. Frankly the google had more details than him. He didn’t allow me to click pictures. I’m sure if I had shelled out some money he would have allowed me to click pictures to my heart’s content. I was in all mood to call the media (TV 5 , TV 9 – they would have def. luv to expose such misused temples).

Man made pond with lots of geese and White Lotuses – which are beautiful.

In case you are visiting this temple. Its not WHEEL CHAIR Friendly. You want to click pictures or good darshan – be willing to pay – lots of money. Temple prasadham was sadly stale and unhealthy too. Carry your own food, water and coffee/tea too. Didn’t venture to check out – Bathrooms – Maybe believe in natures call – open in nature! On way – 30 – 45 minutes before stop at an hotel – RIVERA (take a bathroom break and have something to eat) proceed to the temple. Another example of...

At a distance of 1.4 km from Panagal Bus Station, 4 km from Nalgonda Bus Station and 104 km from Hyderabad, Chaya Someswara Temple is a wonderful temple located at Panagal in Nalgonda district of Telangana. This is an interesting pilgrimage and historical site to visit from Nalgonda & Hyderabad.

Sri temple was built during 11th - 12th centuries by Cholas. The temple got the name as it is believed that the formation of relentless shadow (Chaya in Telugu) of a pillar falls over the main deity of Shivalingam throughout the day. This amazing temple, engineered by the Kunduru, testifies the fantastic creative thinking and scientific knowledge of its architects. The complex houses three deities - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva facing three different directions connected by common mahamandapa. The temple also demonstrates wonderful sculpture and art work.

The temple is known for its architecture. One of the garbhagrihas situated in the west and facing east contains a continuing shadow of a pillar throughout the day. This mysterious shadow is a huge attraction of the temple. The chaya that falls on the deity looks like a shadow of one of the pillars carved in front of the sacred chamber. But it is not actually the shadow of any pillar. The dark area is formed by the reflection of light through multiple pillars placed in front of garbhagriha and the shadow is a consolidated shadow of those four pillars. The pillars in the temple are strategically placed so that the light falls at the same place throughout the day.

The pillars of the temple are decorated in great detail with relief sculpture of episodes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Several sculptures collected from this area are preserved at the museum constructed in the compound of Pachala Someswara Swamy temple. Some of the ancient shivalingas preserved in the museum were collected from a village called Yelleswaram, which was submerged during the construction of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

Pachala Ramalingeshwara Temple lies 1.2 km from Sri Chaya Someshwara Temple in Panagal Village is another wonderful place that...

Chaya Someswara Temple is one such place. This ancient temple attracted me for its architectural wonder. With its mysterious ‘chaya’ shadow on the Lord Shiva’s lingam, it is place not only for devotees but also for inquisitive travelers like me. Its architecture is a great attraction for those who find interest in history. At the same time it is an apt place to those who are looking for long drive from Hyderabad.

This temple is currently being restored. There are few cracks on the walls which can be seen, even the main Nandi statue which used to be in front of the main lingam, is distorted and hence removed. In spite of all this, the temple is worth visiting.

If you are still wondering, then let me jolt down a few reasons to why you should visit Chaya Someswara Temple near Hyderabad.

Proximity- 100 km from Hyderabad

Chaya Someswara Temple is located at a distance of only 100 km from Hyderabad, which can be covered in less than 2 hours. You need not take an off from office or plan two three days of trip, just a few hours on weekend is enough to explore this mysterious temple and understand the origin of mysterious shadow. It is about 4 km from Nalgonda and at a distance of 1.5 km from Panagal bus station.

The Mysterious Shadow and exceptional architecture

The major attraction of this temple is its mysterious shadow/Chaya on which the temple has been named too. There is shadow that falls on the main deity, Shiva Lingam. The shadow is apparent even today when you visit the temple. Although there is not pillar in front of the lingam, a shadow appears in the form of one of the pillars that have been sculpted outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. It was till recently that it was a mystery that many failed to solve.

However, now it is known that it is the result of complex architecture and scientific calculations. It is nothing less than an architectural wonder that the shadow is created through the reflection of light through various pillars which have been placed strategically in front of...