Sri Somanatha Swamy Temple  is situated in Someshwara quite further away from Mangalore on the Western Ghats and on the lap of Arabian Sea. This Temple is also known by another name as Rudhrapada Ksehtram. Though believed to be built in the 10th century during the time of Alupa Dynasty it was greatly renovated during the rule of Vijayanagara Emperors. Some consider this Temple to be on par with the 12 Jyothirlinga Ksehtrams. There are stories which inform us that the Panadava Kings frequented this place and Prayed to Lord Somanatha Swamy.  In fact a Sacred Tank of this Temple known as Gadha Theertha located at quite some distance is said to have been built by Bheema. There is a Welcome Arch which leads us to the Temple. There is a small car parking close to which is a Sub Shrine for Shri Pancha Durgai Ammavaru. The Sub Shrine has been designed with Mangalore type roofing and there are totally 5 Durga Idols kept within it. Slightly away from it is a Naga Devatha Sannadhi where a huge Idol of a Serpant is kept on the top of the gate. The premises is slightly bushy with thorns and small plants grown all over and few Naga Devathas statues are kept there. The entire Temple has been built on a Fort like elevated structure and Devotees have to climb up a few steps. The Presiding Deity of this Temple is Sri Someshwara who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva and He is found East facing.  It is generally believed that those who could not go to Kashi and Pray Shiva could come here to Pray before Lord Someshwara.  The entire Moolasthanam and other Sub Shrines have a concrete wall with wood work and tinned roofing etc. Facing the Sanctum Sanctorum is an Idol of Nandhi which is different from the Nandhi Idols of other Temples. Here the Nandhi is found with its head bowed before the Main Deity as though in reverence.  They have erected a huge nine tiered oil lamp just behind the Nandhi Vaahanam.  This Temple has a special oil lamp which is lit in the evenings of each day and this lamp is believed to be lighted by the King himself during the ancient times. On entering the Temple we could find a very tall Dwajasthambam and  there is a 4 pillared Mandabam in which they have a huge Bali Peedam. In the inner peripheral there are Idols for Sapthamathas and along with them the Idols of Vinayagar and Veerabadrar are also found.  Next to it is another Sub Shrine for Raja Rajeswari who is considered here as the Consort of Sri Somanatha Swamy. The Temple Kitchen or Madapalli functions from the inner peripherals and they make it a point to distribute Prasadam to each and every Devotee visiting this Temple. But apart from the Main Deity there are Deities for Kamakshamma, Arunachaleswara, Bhimeswara, Nanjundeswara, Panchalingeswara and others too. On the outer peripheral is a Sub Shrine with two Naga Devathas and close to it is a Temple Office. They have safely secured the Temple's Chariot in a closed enclosure.  The Temple Admin have built a huge auditorium where Dance programme are conducted frequently.  This hall is quite big and could be used for religious functions, weddings etc. Ganapathy, Parasurama, Gopalakrishna alias Parthasarathy and Vishnumurthy are some of the Gods who occupy a Sub Shrine in the outer peripheral. Some say that the Rajagopuram and the compound wall surrounding this Temple was overseen and built by Kempegowda who had built Bangalore too. There is a staircase from the Temple which leads us to the Sea Shore of Arabian Sea. At some distance away from the Temple A pair of Rudhra Paadam is semi sub merged in the sea and there is a saffron flag to mark this place.This Divine feet could be seen when the sea water retreads in this part of the area.  Maha Shivarathiri, Arudhra Darisanam are celebrated in a grand manner.

Temple Phone Number: 0824 2466778, 94950 73755, 99953 56049, 79072 45899, Sudhakar, Archargar - 99646 31812 and

Srinivas Devadiga, (Priyanka Stores) - 90364 16134

Temple Timing: 5.30 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 7.30 PM

Distance from Mangalore to Someshwara is 15 Kms

Distance from Kollur to Someshwara, Mangalore is 140 Kms

Distance from Dharmasthala to Someshwara, Mangalore is 77 Kms

Distance from Horanadu to Someshwara, Mangaluru is 146 Kms

Distance from Sringeri to Someshwara, Mangaluru is 131 Kms

Distance from Udupi to Someshwara, Mangalore is 67 Kms

Distance from Murudeshwar to Someshwara, Mangalore is 169 Kms

Distance form Kukke Subramanya to Someshwara, Mangalore is 105 Kms

Distance from Bangalore to Someshwara, Mangalore is 345 Kms

Distance from Chennai to Someshwara, Mangalore is 698 Kms

Nearest Railway Station is Mangalore Jn.

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