Chaya Someswara Swamy temple

History & tradition

Chaya Someswara Temple is at Panagal in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. It was built around the mid-11th century under the Kunduru Chodas, a branch of the Telugu Cholas, and later dynasties added to it. The temple is a trikutalaya: three sanctums, dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya, share one hall whose pillars are carved with scenes from the Mahabharata, the Ramayana and the Puranas. It had fallen into ruin by the mid-20th century and has since been partly restored. The temple draws many pilgrims at Maha Shivaratri, and the Pachala Someshwara temple stands close by.