Sri Somesvara Temple

Construction and opening

Construction of Sri Somesvara Temple was completed in early 2011. Following its completion, the consecration of the temple took place in May 2011. The temple was built according to Vedic Vastu architectural guidelines and was completed by K&SK Architects from India. Under the direction of Sthapati S. Santhanakrishnan, a student of Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, artisans in India hand-chiseled 46 tons of granite to create the deities, shrines, and entryway, making it an authentic Vedic temple. The project and future temple projects are part of Michael Mamas' vision for Mount Soma.

The consecration took place over a five-day period, which was held from May 12 to May 16. The temple includes a 15-foot hand-carved black granite Hanuman statue from India and hand-carved black granite Navagrahas (nine planets) on a hand-chiseled granite pedestal. Sri Somesvara Temple is located in the center of Mount Soma, near the meditation hall where visitors learn to meditate and a Visitor Center that serves the temple visitors.

Shortly after its construction, it was suggested that Sri Somesvara Temple was the first of several Vedic temples that could be constructed at Mount Soma in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This would be in accordance with the Vaastu Shastra guidelines for an enlightened city.

Deities

Vedic chants are performed in all ceremonies and Vedic guidelines are strictly followed in order to maintain the purity of the Deities and Pandit. The main Deity is Lord Shiva. Other Deities at the temple include Lord Ganesh, Lord Karthikeya, Uma Parvathi Devi, the Navagrahas (nine planets), Sri Nagadevatha, and Sri Hanuman. The Pandit lives at Mount Soma next door to the temple.

Activities and ceremonies

Vedic technology is utilized in all ceremonies at the temple. Every day, Pujas are performed, an act of showing reverence to an aspect of the Divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. Each Puja includes 16 types of offerings to God. Daily Archana (short Puja) is performed to Lord Ganesh, then Lord Karthikeya, then Uma Parvathi Devi. The full Rudrabhishekam (lasting approximately 1-1/2 hours) is performed each morning after Archana. Every evening, there is Aarathi (a final form of worship to the Gods at the end of the day), prior to the temple closing. Weekly on Saturday, the Navagraha Shanti Puja (nine planet ceremony for peace) is performed. In addition, approximately twice weekly, various monthly or annual ceremonies are performed. The temple, due to its location in nature in the mountains, authenticity, and vibration, is often seen as a pilgrimage.

The temple is open every day of the year. It is commonly open between 9:30 am to 7:30 pm. Like most Vedic temples, it is closed in the afternoon from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.