Ashta Someswaras

Ashta (అష్ట) in sanskrit means eight. Soma (సోముడు, Telugu: [ soːmuɽu]) means moon. Eshwara (ఈశ్వర, Telugu: [ iːçʋaɾa]) refers to Lord Shiva. The name refers to eight lingas consecrated by the moon god.

According to Hindu faith the origin of temples is as follows. The linga in Draksharama has been consecrated by the sun God (Surya (సూర్య, Telugu: [suːɾja])). This resulted in rise of atmospheric temperatures in the surrounding regions. To control these high temperatures, moon god (Chandra (చంద్ర Telugu: [candɾa]) consecrated eight lingas in eight directions of Draksharamam.

With Draksharamam as reference point, the location of lingas is as follows:

1. North: Vella (వెల్ల)
2. South: Kotipalli(కోటిపల్లి, Telugu: [koːʈipalːi])
3. East: Kolanka (కోలంక, Telugu: [koːlaŋka])
4. West: Venturu (వెంటూరు, Telugu: [ʋeɳʈuːɾu])
5. North-East: Penumaalla (పెనుమాళ్ళ, Telugu: [penumaːɭːa])
6. North-West: Someswaram (సోమేశ్వరము, Telugu: [soːmeːçʋaɾamu])
7. South-East: Dhangeru (దంగేరు, Telugu: daŋgeːɾu)
8. South-West: Korumilli (కోరుమిల్లి, Telugu: koːɾumilːi)

A plaque in Shri Balathripura Sundari sametha Shri Someswara swami vaari devasthanam, Someswaram; showing the locations of ashta someswaras, nava lingas and the story behind their consecration.

Dhraksharama linga along with these eight lingas together are known as Nava lingas. Visiting these Nava lingas on the same day is believed to be a holy act.

1. Shiva
2. Lingam
3. Draksharamam
4. Hindu
5. Pancharama Kshetras

అష్ట సోమేశ్వరములు (Board) (in Telugu). In the Shri Balatripura sundari sametha shri Someswara swami temple, Someswaram. Retrieved 27 December 2022.

• locations of ashta someswaras
• brief video on ashta someswaras