Photo 1 / 3Painted gopuram from above. Photo: iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bhimavaram Somarama Temple
About the Temple
Somarama at Gunupudi in Bhimavaram is one of the five Pancharama temples of Shiva, where the moon god Chandra is believed to have installed the linga. Devotees say the small linga turns white near full moon and dark near new moon. A shrine of Annapurna sits above the sanctum, and the Chandrakundam pond lies in front of the temple.
Why visit
- Complete the Pancharama circuit at the temple linked to the moon god.
- Pair it with Ksheerarama in Palakollu, about 20 km away.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening
- 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Official source, checked 22 Oct 2026 · Source
Sarva darshan hours. The temple opens at 05:00 and is closed 12:00 to 16:00.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
30 minutes to 1 hour inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
No dress rule for this temple was confirmed. Traditional, modest clothing is the safe choice; ask at the entrance.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Phones
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
The Annapurna shrine is on the upper floor above the sanctum. Step counts and any step-free route were not confirmed, so ask locally if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Reported by en.wikipedia.org, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- A linga linked to the moon
Devotees believe the small linga looks white near full moon and dark near new moon.
- Annapurna shrine above the sanctum
The goddess Annapurna has a shrine on the floor above the Shiva sanctum.
- Chandrakundam and Soma Gundam
A lotus pond lies in front of the temple, and a pushkarini called Soma Gundam to its east.
Sources: westgodavari.ap.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Bhimavaram Somarama Temple
- By air: Rajahmundry Airport (RJA) · about 70 km
- By train: Bhimavaram Junction (BVRM) · about 0 km
- By road: The temple is at Gunupudi in Bhimavaram, about 20 km from Ksheerarama in Palakollu; Bhimavaram has good bus and train links.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, westgodavari.ap.gov.in · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Ksheerarama, PalakolluAnother Pancharama temple, with a nine-storey gopuram.21 km away
- Dwaraka TirumalaVenkateswara temple listed on the AP Endowments portal.41 km away
- NarasapuramGodavari river town on the way to Antarvedi.21 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Bhimavaram Somarama Temple?
No dress rule for this temple was confirmed. Traditional, modest clothing is the safe choice; ask at the entrance.
Can I take my phone inside Bhimavaram Somarama Temple?
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
What are the Bhimavaram Somarama temple timings?
The AP Endowments portal lists sarva darshan from 06:00 to 12:00 and 16:00 to 20:00. The temple opens at 05:00 and closes from 12:00 to 16:00.
Does the Somarama linga really change colour?
Devotees believe it looks white near full moon and dark near new moon. Treat this as a belief; no study confirms it.
Where is Somarama in Bhimavaram?
It is at Gunupudi, close to Bhimavaram Junction railway station, about 20 km from Ksheerarama in Palakollu.