- Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
- Location: Arail Ghat, near by Laxmi Ganeshji Asharam, Naini, Prayagraj, 211008
- Timings: 6am–8pm
- Entry fee: No entry fee
- Time required: 30 minuets to 1 hour
- Best time to visit: Novembers to April
The beautiful temple of Someshwar Mahadev attracts thousands of devotees each year. Learn all about the magnificent Someshwar Temple.
Location
Someshwar Mahadev Temple in Allahabad is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages in India. Its exact location is in Naini across the holy river of Yamuna in Allahabad. The temple is very ancient and stands opposite to the Allahabad Fort across Sangam in the Arail Area Triveni Sangam is an important religious point in Allahabad as it is the point where Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna meet. Someshwar Mahadev temple is near the Triveni. There is a small yet beautiful Hanuman Mandir beside the Someshwar Mahadev temple.
History
Someshwar Mahadev is counted Amongst the 8 most important Gods of Prayag which is why the pilgrims and devotees who come for the Mahakumbh Parva visit Someshwar Mahadev first. The Kumbh Mela is sometimes organised in Someshwar and the magnificent temple is easily visible from the Mela ground. Incidentally the 2017 Kumbh Mela will happen in Someshwar.
There are many other important religious places around Som Tirtha like Ram Tirtha, Hanuman Tirtha, Sita Kund etc. and evidences of these lie in Hindu scriptures but these are hard to explore nowadays because of lack of awareness about their religious significance.
Legend
According to ancient Hindu Lore the temple of Someshwar was established by the beautiful God of the Moon. Following a decadent and indulgent lifestyle, the Moon was cursed with leprosy which was eating away his beauty and darkening his face with scars. Disturbed and distraught by his pitiful condition, the Moon prayed hard to Lord Siva and sought deliverance from the curse of leprosy. Pleased by the hard penance and prayers of the moon, Lord Shiva eradicated leprosy and restored moon to his former beauty. The Someshwar is an important Madhya Vedi Tirtha and its one of the major pilgrimage sites in India.
According to Hindu mythology the moon resides at Someshwar and the moonlit nights here are rumoured to be extremely beautiful… it is said that that showers of heavenly nectar bless the temple and its surrounding areas in Someshwar and cleanse the souls of devotees and pilgrims.
Earlier there used to be magnificent gardens around Someshwar. The gardens are now ruined but Someshwar still retains a heavenly aura. Grand celebrations are organised here in the days of Kumbh, Ardh Kumbh and Shivaratri. Thousands of pilgrims throng the temple on these days. Chanting the Shiva mantra in Som Tirtha fulfils the hidden precious desires of devotees. Lore says that the moon is the vanquisher of all diseases but when it came to vanquishing his own disease….the moon failed. It was the blessings of Lord Shiva that destroyed the terrible disease of Leprosy. Similarly, devotees who pray to Shiva in Somtirtha will eradicate themselves of their biggest troubles.
How to Reach
Allahabad is an important city in Uttar Pradesh, India. The place has a rich history and is endowed with many important temples, universities and cultural standpoints. Allahabad is well connected to all major Indian cities via Rail and roads. Flights operated by major carriers which are going to Varanasi usually stop at Allahabad.
The temple is 12 k away from the Allahabad Railway Station and 7 km away from the civil Bus station. The local modes of transport used to reach this temple are auto, cycle rickshaw etc. you can also take a boat ride to cross the river to the temple…an one way ride costs Rs 20 approx. buses run by UPSRTC ply throughout the city and NH 19 runs through the centre of the city. National Waterway 1 (largest waterway in India) connects Haldia and Allahabad.
Best Time to Visit
People visit Someshwar Mahadev temple at all times of the year but the most popular months are between Novembers to April. In summers, Allahabad becomes too hot and monsoons make it difficult for devotees to enjoy their pilgrimage. Some auspicious times to visit the temple are Magh Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela, Sukta Ashtami, Naga Panchami etc. these dates keep change every year according to the lunar calendar. Generally noonday is considered to be the most holy date to pray to Someshwar Mahadev,
Climate
Allahabad is a city in the heart of Uttar Pradesh and it possesses typical humid, subtropical climate, summers are hot, monsoons are warm and humid and the winters are dry and cool. The annual temperature average is 29.2 degree C. Summer in Allahabad lasts from March to September and temperature can hit 48 degree C while monsoons begin in June and last till August. Winters are from December to February and are pleasant with min temp of about 9 degree C. there I no snow but dense wintry fogs in Allahabad.
Allahabad receives rain from Southwest monsoons and annual average rainfall is 1027 mm.
- Must Read: Popular Places to Visit in Allahabad