Somarama, West Godavari: History, Timings & Visitor Guide
Somarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Bhimavaram of West Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
About Somarama
Somarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Bhimavaram of West Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of national importance.
Somarama: Key Facts
- TempleSomarama
- LocationWest Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
- StateAndhra Pradesh
- Entry FeeFree (general darshan)
- Best Time to VisitOctober to February
- Nearest Railway StationBhimavaram Junction railway station, ~1 km
- Nearest AirportRajahmundry (RJA), ~70 km
- GPS16.54127, 81.53509
Somarama Timings 2026
Somarama is open every day, usually from early morning to late evening with a break in the afternoon. Darshan and aarti timings change with the season and on festival days.
- MorningOpens early morning (around 5 to 6 AM)
- AfternoonShort break around midday at many temples
- EveningEvening aarti around sunset, closes by about 8 to 9 PM
Ask the temple office on arrival for the day's aarti schedule.
Dress Code & Temple Rules
- DressModest, traditional clothes covering shoulders and knees
- FootwearRemove before entering; use the shoe stand
- PhotographyNot allowed inside the sanctum
- Not AllowedLeather items, tobacco, alcohol, non-veg food
- QueueFollow queue lines and staff instructions on festival days
How to Reach Somarama
- LocationWest Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
- By AirRajahmundry (RJA), about 70 km
- By AirVijayawada (VGA), about 79 km
- By TrainBhimavaram Junction railway station, about 1 km
- Major StationBhimadolu railway station, about 42 km
- By RoadTaxis, autos and state buses from the railway station and nearby cities
Distance from Nearby Cities
| From | Road Distance (approx.) | Travel Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rajahmundry | 91 km | 2 hr |
| Vijayawada | 102 km | 2 hr |
| Visakhapatnam | 289 km | 6 hr |
| Hyderabad | 441 km | 10 hr |
| Tirupati | 504 km | 11 hr |
Best Time to Visit
October to February. The weather is cooler and drier. April–May is very hot, and the monsoon brings heavy rain to the coast. Weekday mornings are the least crowded; expect long queues on weekends, holidays and festivals.
History of Somarama
At the front of the temple is a lotus covered pond called Chandrakundam. There is a large gopuram at the temple entrance. In the left side of temple, there is a big hall in which temples of the deities Rama and Hanuman are present.
On the right side of temple, there is an open hall above the temple office. When a crowd is present, pujaris/pandits conduct puja here for individuals. The temple has many sculptures. In the hall of temple, there is a big statue of Nandi. After crossing hall, there is a room in front of sanctum. In that room there is a temple of the goddess Annapurna.
In the sanctum, Shiva as Someswara Swamy is in the form of a linga. The linga is small in comparison to other Pancharamas. The linga is said to change its colour according to Lunar aspect. At the time of Pournami (full moon nights), the linga is white. During Amavasya (no moon nights), its colour is black.
Frequently Asked Questions
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