Somanatheswarar Temple is dedicated to Hindu God Shiva located at Kolathur Village near Melakottaiyur in Kanchipuram District of Tamilnadu. Presiding Deity is known as Somanatheswarar and Mother is known as Amudhambigai.
Architecture
Legend / Local stories
It is one of the temples where Moon (Chandran) prayed to Lord Shiva to get rid of his sin. There are inscriptions that state the above fact. When Lord Shiva swallowed the Aalahala poison, Parvathi Devi stopped it from entering inside by holding Lord’s neck and converted it into nectar (Amudhu) and hence the name, Amudhambigai.
Presiding Deity is known as Somanatheswarar and Mother is known as Amudhambigai. The Nandikeswarar is seen with a broad smiling face. This ancient temple did not survive time like many other temples in India. In 1917, this temple came back to life and some basic pujas were being done. Once while desilting the temple well to perform Abhisekam to the Lord, many other idols were found inside. They were idols of Lord Maha Shashta, Chandikeswarar, Murugan with his consorts Valli & Deivanai, Vinayagar and Durga. The temple had big outer walls whose foundations were found. There is a stand-alone stone inscription near the well which proves that this temple is ancient. The temple has been renovated recently.
