Chandippa Sri Marakata Shivalinga Someshwara Swamy Temple

About the Temple

Sri Chandippa Marakata Shivalinga Someshwara Swamy Temple, in Chandippa village of Shankarpally mandal, Ranga Reddy district, Telangana, is one of the most ancient and spiritually important Shiva temples in the region. It stands in peaceful surroundings about 35 km from Hyderabad and 4 km from Shankarpally town. The Shivalinga here gives off a green glow like an emerald (marakata mani), which is why it is famous as the "Marakata Shivalinga".

The Marakata Shivalinga – A Rare Divine Form

The Sanskrit word marakata means emerald, and a Marakata Shivalinga is a very rare form of Shiva. The Someshwara Lingam of this temple shines with a green light in different shades during abhishekam. In Hindu tradition the emerald is linked with the planet Budha (Mercury) and is believed to bestow wisdom, intelligence, inner peace and spiritual clarity. The green radiance of the Lingam during abhishekam fills devotees with wonder, and they believe that darshan of the Marakata Shivalinga removes sins and grants health, prosperity and moksha.

Someshwara – Shiva, Lord of the Moon

Here Shiva is worshipped as Sri Someshwara Swamy. Soma means the moon – Shiva wears the crescent moon in his matted locks – and the word also means amrita, the nectar of immortality. Ishwara means the supreme Lord. So Someshwara means the Lord of the Moon, the Shiva who grants amrita. Monday, the moon's day, is considered especially sacred here, and every Monday devotees offer abhishekam with milk and archana with bilva leaves.

History – A Western Chalukya Legacy

According to the inscriptions found at the temple, as translated by the scholar Sri Deshmukh Hanumanth Reddy, the temple was built during the reign of the great Western Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI (1076–1126 CE). Known by the titles Permadideva and Tribhuvanamalla ("lord of the three worlds"), Vikramaditya VI was a great patron of Shaiva culture, learning and temple building.

The inscription records that the Someshwara Lingam was consecrated on 23 October 1101 CE (Vishnu nama samvatsara, Karthika Shukla Panchami, a Thursday), in the 25th year of Vikramaditya VI's reign. A devout Shiva bhakta named Jakkanabbe made donations for the consecration, and the construction was carried out under the families of Marujona and Tammojana. Vikramaditya VI granted more than 250 acres of land for the daily pujas and offerings, for festivals such as Shivaratri and for Vedic learning.

For centuries the temple was neglected. Naresh Kumar, a journalist from Shankarpally, visited the shrine on full-moon days for many years, and his article in the Andhra Bhoomi newspaper, titled "Chandippa Marakata Shivalinga, deprived of dhoopa, deepa and naivedya", created public awareness. As a result, renovation work began in December 2011 under the leadership of contractor Sri Venkateswara Rao, and with the support of the community the temple was fully restored.

Kshetra Palakas – The Divine Guardians

Devotees believe that Sri Kala Bhairava Swamy and a divine serpent are the guardians (kshetra palakas) of this shrine, and that it is they who have protected this ancient and sacred temple for more than a thousand years. The temple complex also has a shrine for Kala Bhairava Swamy and a Navagraha shrine.

Festivals and Special Worship

• Maha Shivaratri: the most important festival here, with special abhishekams, Rudrabhishekam, homams and an all-night vigil (jagaram). Devotees come from far and wide.
• Karthika Masam: the whole of Karthika month (October–November) is most sacred to Shiva devotees. Lamps are lit every day, with milk abhishekam and bilva archana, and the Mondays of Karthika are celebrated with special devotion.
• Mondays: every Monday is especially dear to Someshwara Swamy. Fasting, abhishekam, archana and the offering of bilva leaves are performed with special care on this day.
• Pradosha Vratam: Pradosha pujas are held in the evening on the Trayodashi of every fortnight.
• Panchamrita Abhishekam: the daily abhishekam with the five nectars – milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugarcane juice – holds special importance for the Marakata Lingam.

How to Reach

The temple is in Chandippa village, 4 km from Shankarpally and about 35 km from Hyderabad.

• By Road: From Hyderabad, travel to Shankarpally via NH-65 (Hyderabad–Pune highway), and from there take the Shankarpally–Chevella road to Chandippa village. Shared autos run from Shankarpally town to Chandippa, and there is parking at the temple for those coming in their own vehicles.
• By Bus: TGSRTC buses run to Shankarpally from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (Imlibun) and Jubilee Bus Station in Hyderabad. From Shankarpally, local vehicles go to Chandippa.

Visitor Information

• Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, open on all days of the week
• Panchamrita Abhishekam seva: ₹101
• Darshan: free for all
• Dress code: traditional attire is encouraged
• Contact: +91 9440016988 | sevafoundationskp@gmail.com
• Best time to visit: special pujas are held during Maha Shivaratri and Karthika Masam; for a peaceful darshan, go early in the morning