Kadapa, July 14, 2013: The historic Sri Soumyanatha Swamy temple built on 108 sculpted pillars on a sprawling 10-acre site across Bahuda river at Nandalur mandal headquarters in Kadapa district in the 11th century, has been spruced up for the annual Brahmotsavams scheduled to be held from July 14 to 21.

Known for its architectural splendour, the temple has a Mahadwara gopuram on the east besides a northern gopuram and southern gopuradwaaram.

With four lion heads sculpted on a deepasthambham and a high dhwajasthambham, the temple has a balipeetham, Garuda mandiram, Sri Anjaneya Swamy mandapam, mastya mandapam, ankurarpana mandapam, Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy mandapam and a koneru.

The sanctum has a seven foot-tall Sri Soumyanatha Swamy Salagramadhara idol with four hands including one holding a Sudarshana chakram and another a paanchajanya sankham.

While Sri Lakshmi Devi holding two lotuses is seen on the chest of the presiding deity, an idol of Sri Anjaneya Swamy praying to the Lord is near his feet.

The annual Brahmotsavams commence on Ashada Sukla Shasti on July 14 with thirumanjanam, ankurarpanam, mrutcham grahanam, vastu santhi homam and kalasasthapana, the Temple Trust Board chairman Yeddala Subbarayudu and secretary Kundavaram Sailendranath said.

Dhwajarohanam and thirumanjanam will be performed and the presiding deity will be taken round on Yaalivahanam on July 15.

The deity will be taken round on Hamsavahanam on July 16, Simhavahanam on July 17, Hanumanthavahanam on July 18, Seshavahanam and Garudavahanam on July 19 and Suryaprabha and Chandraprabha vahanam on July 20.

Kalyanotsavam of Sri Soumyanatha Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi will be performed in Abhijit lagnam on July 21 and the deities will be taken round on Gajavahanam that night.

Arrangements have been completed for the Brahmotsavams which will attract several pilgrims from within the district and other places, they said.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 14, 2013.