Weekend Darshan - 13

Somangalam

We had been to Somangalam this week end.

I had heard about a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in this place. So we set out in search of it, early sunday morning. The historic information about this place can be found here.

We managed to find it. But what I saw there evoked mixed feelings in me. It is an absolute beauty of the Cholas. But time has weathered the temple and those generous hearts that could spare funds for renovating must have found it appealing to attach steel grilled doors, build concrete sheds and fix mosaic tiles to the floors.

Some original idols



Magnificent back side of the temple. Its oval


An artistic window. Testimony to Chola art

There's nothing much a lover of art and sculpture can do except grieve at what has been lost. Inspite of so much cement and concrete, the temple is impressive. The temple was locked. Somehow we didnt feel like going in after what we saw there.

A beautiful tree within the temple

Route:
Somangalam is 6 kms from Kishkinta. Proceed straight after Kishkinta, the road divides into two. Take the left there and proceed as the road goes. Go beyond Sairam Engineering College . Somangalam is just after Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering. There is also a road from Somangalam which leads to Kundrathur - Sriperumbudur road.