Chandra, the moon god in Hindu religion, is believed to have worshipped Shiva at Som Tirth in Prayagraj to regain his health ,which was deteriorating due to a curse by Daksha Prajapati. This holy spot was originally located on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and is famous for the Someshwar Mahadev Temple. The temple is currently on the banks of Yamuna at Arel village.
It is believed that the Shivling worshipped at Som Tirth was established by Chandra.
According to Shiva Purana, Chandra’s infatuation with his wife Rohini and neglect of his other twenty six wives – all Daksha Prajapati’s daughters – enraged his father-in-law, who cursed him to get afflicted with tuberculosis (kshaya).
Consequently, the moon’s constant waning threatened the cosmic order. Therefore one the advice of other gods, Chandra worshipped Shiva to regain his health.
With deep gratitude and obeying the orders of Shiva, Soma left his heavenly abode and came to reside at the present Som Tirth. Here he established Someshwar Shiva Temple.
Shiva, who in his tantric chants gives destructive mantras to his devotees, instructs the ways of curing diseases, because no man can have the right to destroy a life, unless he also has the power to give life. Even though Soma is known to be the king of medicines, yet he had to seek Shiva’s blessings to cure himself.
It is believed that Chandra constructed the temple close to Akshaya Vata (un-decaying banyan tree) in the southeast direction of Prayagraj.
Shiva is the destroyer, but he is also known as the one who bestows boons. Those who chant the name of Shiva at Som Tirth and those who are engaged in study and worship in this holy place are said to enjoy special favors.
It is believed that a person will have all materialistic desires fulfilled after worshipping here.
A pond located here is known as Chandra Tirth and those who perform bath in it will get cure from tuberculosis.
There is a trishul at top the temple which changes direction with the movement of moon.