Sri Somanathaswamy Temple is also called as Sri Somanatheeswarar or Sri Somanatheswarar Temple and it is located in a hamlet known as Keezha Pazhayarai which is close to the Temple Town of Kumbakonam. The full name of the Temple is Sri Somakamalambikai Samedha Sri Somanatha Swamy Temple. The Temple has an East facing Rajagopuram before which is a huge Neivedhya Peedam or Bali Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam which is seen beneath a four pillared Mandapam looking towards the Moolasthanam. A new Rajagopuram is under construction and could be completed in a year from 2026. 

This Temple is built on an elevated level and Devotees may have to climb around 10 steps to reach the level of the Temple premises. The whole constructions looks splendid and attractive as though the entire structure is drawn on a Horse Driven Carriage. This is the Hallmark of King Kochenget Cholan who is instrumental in constructing such Maada  Kovil. This place gains additional importance since during the Chola regime Sri Rajaraja Cholan and Sri Kundhavai Nachiyar had stayed here on many occasions and had taken important decisions after Praying to Sri Somanathar.

The elevated Mandapam is made up of multiple pillars and on the extreme left are two Idols of Sri Pillayar. Both these Idols are East facing while the bigger Idol is black the smaller Pillayar Idol is brownish in colour. To the right is the huge Idol of Sri Kailasanathar who is seen East facing and in a standing posture. This Idol of Sri Kailasanathar gains prominence since He is seen here in a Human form instead of the usual Shiva Lingam forms in other Temples. Ravanan who is a great Shiva Bakthan is sen here holding aloft Sri Kailasanathar and His Ambal together in his arms. The Moolasthana Mandapam is also made up of multiple pillars and the Idols of Sri Suryan, Sri Bhairavar and Sri Chandran are seen West facing. 

At the threshold of the Moolasthanam are two black Idols of the Dwara Baalakas who stand guard on either side. Close to the left Dwara Baalaka Idol is a small East facing Idol of Sri Ganapathy. Facing the Moolasthanam is yet another Neivedhya Peedam and a Nandhi Vaahanam. In the Sanctum Sanctorum the Presiding Deity of Sri Somanatheeswarar is seen East facing and in the form of Shiva Lingam. He looks resplendent and dazzling to the eyes of the Devotees when seen under the naturally lit oil lamps. The Moolavar's Koshtam has a South facing Idol of Sri Dhakshinamoorthy, West facing Idol of Sri Maha Vishnu, North facing Idols of Sri Brahmma and Sri Veera Durgai and a South facing Sub Shrine of Sri Chandikeshwarar. It is believed that this Idol of Sri Veera Durgai would cure Mental Illness and would give immense courage to Her Devotees. The Consort of this Temple is known as Sri Somakamalambigai and She is seen in a South facing and standing posture in Her multi pillared Shrine. Devotees may have to climb around 10 steps to reach the Shrine of Sri Somakamalambigai. 

The Moolasthana Mandapam has a North facing Idol of Sri Mangayarkarasi who is seen in standing posture. She is one among the 63 Naayanmaars and Keezha Pazhayarai is the birth place of Sri Mangayarkarasi. Close to this the Ivar Idols are seen North facing and on an elevated podium. This Temple has a huge outer peripheral wherein there is an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Vinayagar. Similarly the outer peripheral also has an East facing Sub Shrine of Sri Subramaniyar who is seen with a Vel or Spear and a Kodi. He is flanked by His Consorts Valli and Devaena on either side. There is an exclusive Navagraha Sannadhi in this Temple which is beneath a four pillared Mandapam.

Keezha Pazhayarai is the birth place of Sri Mangayarkarasi who is one among the 63 Naayanmaars. This Temple looked desolate but it is heartening to see the Coimbatore University which is now doing enormous construction and development work within the premises. The new Rajagopuram is also being constructed by them. The Sthala Viruksham of this Temple is Nelli or Amla Tree and a Sarakondrai Maram. The Pushkarani is known as Soma Theertham and Jatayu Theertham. Pradhosham, Ammavasai, Pournami, Rohini Nakshathram, Skandahara Chathurthi and Karthigai are celebrated here in a grand manner.

Contact Details: 0435 2454421, Karthi 76399 97399 and Selvam 94435 48661

Temple Timing: 6 AM to 12 PM to 4 PM to 8 PM

Distance from Kumbakonam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 7 Kms

Distance from Thirunageswaram to Keezha Pazhayarai is 15 Kms

Distance from Nathankoil to Keezha Pazhayarai is 3 Kms

Distance from Kabisthalam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 13 Kms

Distance from Patteeswaram to Keezha Pazhayarai is 1 Kms

Distance from Thiruvisanallur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 16 Kms

Distance from Sembiyavarambal to Keezha Pazhayarai is 17 Kms

Distance from Swamimalai to Keezha Pazhayarai is 9 Kms

Distance from Thiruneelakudi to Keezha Pazhayarai is 21 Kms

Distance from Thirubuvanam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 17 Kms

Distance from Konerirajapuram to Keezha Pazhayarai is 27 Kms

Distance from Nagappattinam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 72 Kms

Distance from Koradachery to Keezha Pazhayarai is 32 Kms

Distance from Thirumangalakudi to Keezha Pazhayarai is 21 Kms

Distance from Srivanchiyam or Sri Vanjiyam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 30 Kms

Distance from Nannilam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 32 Kms

Distance from Thanjavur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 37 Kms

Distance from Needamangalam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 23 Kms

Distance from Koothanallur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 40 Kms

Distance from Thiruvarur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 46 Kms

Distance from Thiruppanandal to Keezha Pazhayarai is 26 Kms

Distance from Papanasam to Keezha Pazhayarai is 10 Kms

Distance from Valangaimaan to Keezha Pazhayarai is 8 Kms

Distance from Koranattu Karuppur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 15 Kms

Distance from Orathanadu to Keezha Pazhayarai is 52 Kms

Distance from Punnainallur to Keezha Pazhayarai is 34 Kms

Distance from Sirkali or Sirkazhi to Keezha Pazhayarai is 94 Kms

Distance from Mayavaram or Mayiladuthurai to Keezha Pazhayarai is 46 Kms

Distance from Chidambaram to Keezha Pazhayarai is 79 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Keezha Pazhayarai is 289 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Kumbakonam R.S.

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