Someshwar Mahadev is worshiped in Ujjain in Madhya
Pradesh. It is one of the 84 forms of Shiva worshiped in Ujjain. Someshwar
Mahadev is offered prayers to attain moksha or liberation.
The temple dedicated to Someshwar Mahadev is located at Anantapeth
(Rajputh Dharmasala at Bilotipura) in Ujjain.
This form of Shiva is associated with the curse of Daksha
Prajapati on Chandra or the moon good.
Someshwar Mahadev is counted among the
84 Shiva Temples in Ujjain and it is the 26th temple
visited during the parikarama of Shivalayas here.
Story of Someshwar Mahadev form of Shiva in Ujjain
Legend has it that Daksha Prajapati, the master of
civilization, married twenty seven of his daughters – the Nakshatras, lunar
asterisms - to Chandra – the moon god. But Chandra was attracted by the beauty
of only Rohini Nakshatra and ignored the other stars.
The disappointed daughters complained to Daksha about
Chandra’s favoritism for Rohini. This behavior of the moon god angered Daskha.
He cursed Chandra that his body of which he is so proud will fade away.
Soon the body of Chandra started fading away and this caused
upheaval on earth. Several plants and herbs need the moonlight to survive.
Chandran then approached Lord Vishnu who asked him to go to Mahakaal Vana and
offer prayers to Shiva.
Chandra then offered prayers and performed intense
austerities to a Shivling at Mahakaal Vana (Ujjain).
Lord Shiva helped Chandra in regaining his lost luster and
glory with the herb Soma. But Daksha cursed him again and he took the help of
Lord Shiva and this continued for a long period. Finally, Shiva asked Chandra
to take refuge in his lock of hair on his head where he will find enough soma
to rejuvenate him periodically.
Thus the curse of Daksha causes the moon to wane and Lord
Shiva rejuvenates him.
The Shivling to which Chandra offered prayers came to be
known as Someshwar Mahadev.