Chaya Someswara Temple, Panagal, Telangana

Chaya Someswara Temple, Panagal, Telangana
Adityamadhav83/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chaya Someswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is located in Panagal village, Nalgonda district in the Telangana state of India. The temple has three sanctum sanctorum for the three main deities namely – The Brahma, The Vishnu, and The Lord Shiva facing three different directions which are connected by Maha mandapam. For this reason it is also known as Trikutalayam (three-shrine complex).  The temple got the name from the word “CHAYA” which means shadow in telugu. It is believed that there is a mystifying shadow or Chaya on Lord Shiva’s Lingam in the main temple in all days.  The temple is near (about 1.2 KM) to another Shiva Temple Pachala Someswara temple in Panagal village.

Chaya Someswara Temple, Panagal, Telangana
Rag 18, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

History and Architecture of the Chaya Someswara Temple

This amazing temple was built in the 11th and 12th centuries CE during the rule of the Kunduru Cholas and Prataparudra I of Kakatiya Empire over the Panagal region.  The sculpture of the temple and intricately carved pillars add on to the beauty of this otherwise humble temple. The pillars are carved with stories from Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The rare combination of simplistic yet advanced architecture along with intricate carvings, give this temple a unique touch.

One of the temple’s Garbhagudis, in the west and facing east, of the Thrikutalayam always witness shadow and this mystery attracts thousands of visitors to this Temple.

Chaya Someswara Temple Timings

The temple remains open from 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the Morning and 02:00 PM to 08:00 PM in the Evening on all days of the week.

Chaya Someswara Temple Festivals

Maha Sivaratri is the major festival celebrated in the temple.  

How to reach the Chaya Someswara Temple

By Air

The nearest airport is Hyderabad Airport about 116 KM away from the temple.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Nalgonda railway station which is about 4 KM away from the temple.

By Bus

This temple is located at a distance of nearly 4 km from the district headquarters of Nalgonda.

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