Please Download Our Android App to Continue Editing

Chaya Someswara Temple  is a Saivite Hindu temple located in Panagal, Nalgonda district of Telangana, India. This temple was built in the 11th and 12th centuries CE by the Kunduru Chodas. Parts of the temple were also built during the reign of the Kakatiyas.

The temple has three sanctum sanctorum, a form of temple architecture that is called Trikutalayam (three-shrine complex). These are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The three shrines share a common hall (mandapam) with intricately carved pillars. These carvings depicts scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas. The temple has stepped pyramidal sikharas and was probably built in the 11th and 12th centuries CE during the rule of Kunduru Chodas and Prataparudra I of Kakatiya Empire over the Panagal region.

The pillars in the Ardhamandapa and open spaces near the central Shiva shrine were designed and placed by the temple architect in such a way as to cast a unified shadow (Chaya in Telugu) constantly on the lingam all through the day, irrespective of the position of the sun. This gave its name to the temple - Chaya Someswara Swamy temple.