The grand majesty of the Somnath Temple will stun you right away and once you step inside, you will get to experience the loveliness of the Chalulukay architecture. Amongst the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, this is believed to be the first, due to which it is must revered by devotees and it is located in the Gir Somnath district, near Veraval in Sourashtra, Gujarat. Such is the religious significance of this temple that it finds mention in ancient Hindu texts such as the Skandapuranam, Reg Veda and Shreemad bhagavat.
A jyotirlinga shrine is one in which Lord Shiva manifests himself as a fiery column of light. Each of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples are named after the presiding deity, each of which is a particular manifestation of Lord Shiva. Somnath temple is a powerful Jyotirlinga temple, an important pilgrimage place for Shaivites and a destination that devotees seek to remvoe their sins and become prosperous. During Shivratri thousands throng here to get a glimpse of the Lord and worship him. This temple reflects the infinite nature of Lord Shiva as like the other 12 Jyotirlinga temples.
What is most spectacular about this temple is its location by the se due to which it offers visitors soothing cool winds and a grand view of the majestic waters that lap on the shore with tis huge waves. The Shivaling is placed in a spacious Alankara that is decorated with flowers. During the time of worship, the orchestra of bells, drums and songs are simply mesmerizing.
The beauty of majesty of this temple is like none other, representing the fabulous spirituality of its Shiva Linga. Devotees thronging here always enjoy a higher level of spirituality that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Various pujas and rituals are conducted here throughout the day and bookings can be done to experience them. Devotees from all corners of the country and the globe come here because of the Shiva Linga’s huge attraction and its spiritual power.
Archeitecture of Somnath Temple
Simple, yet beautiful, majestic and graceful are the words that best describe the interior and exterior beauty of this very ancient temple. Devotees, who throng here, simply cannot have enough of the Lord and come back once again to worship him and enjoy more spirituality. Today, the temple construction is modern and elegant, but what is unbelievable is that during an ancient epoch that it was actually decorated with precious stones, which were later looted. However, the grand spaciousness of the temple brings out its majesty and the immensely beautiful Shiva Linga is indeed truly mesmerizing.
The Somnath temple has a beautiful architecture, marked by intricate carvings and exquisite pattern work. Reaching a height of 155ft, it follows the Chalukya architectural system, reflecting the skills of expert Gujarat’s masons- Sampuras. The Garbagriha stands in the center and holds in it the Jyotirlingam. The temple complex includes the Shikhara, Sabha Mandap and the Nritya Mandap. On the temple’s load stone ceilings, you are treated to a beautiful sight of extravagant watercolor paintings.
So ingenious is its construction that there is no visible land between it and Antratica and this fact is mentioned in temple’s walls. It is said that at one point of time the temple’s interiors were lavishly decorated with the most beautiful and exquisite gems. On top of the temple’s Shikara is a majestic Kalash, which weighs about 10 tonnes and the entrance is adorned with breathtaking sculptures and stone carvings. Next to the entrance, there is a photo gallery which reveals the temple’s story, giving picture of its ruins and renovations.
Due to various invasions happening time and again, the temple was actually plundered and destroyed several time. The current structure was built under the orders of Home Minsiter Sardar Vallabhaai Patel.
History of Somnath Jyotirling
According to ancient Hindu texts, this temple was built by the Moon God ‘Soma’ to show his utter devotion to Lord Shiva, who released him from a curse. The word Somnath means ‘Protector of the Moon’.
This First Somnath temple was first constructed millions of years ago during the treta Yuga. Soma the moon God married 27 daughters of Daksha but he showed partiality to Rohini. So when his other wives complained about this to their father, who cursed the Moon God, which resulted in him loses his shine. This Shiva Linga was constructed by him and he offered his prayers which helped remove the curse but only partially. As a result, the world experiences waxing and waning of the moon. It is said the ten-headed Ravana also built this temple using Silver and Lord Krishna also but in sandalwood.
After the tenth century, the temple has been plundered and destroyed many times. In 725 CE the Arab Governor of Sindh, Al-Junayd destroyed when he was invading into Gujarat and Rajasthan. Then in 1024, it was plundered by Mahmud of Ghaz who broke its Shivalinga and took away 20 millijon dinars. Once again in 1299, Alauddin Khalji's army plundered the temple. In 1395, the temple was destroyed by Zafar Khan and then once agan in 1451 by Mahmud Degada. In 1665, Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the temple and in 1702 ordered that it would be demolished fully if any worship was carried out here.
Every time the temple was destroyed, it was reconstructed by a Hindu ruler of Gujarat. The destruction and plundering however stopped during the time of the British Raj. Prior to independence, Veravals’s ruler has acceded to Pakistan, a move which the Indian government refused to accept. Once Veraval became a part of India, Sardar Vallabhai Patel came to Junagadh to stabilize the state with the Indian army and at the same time ordered reconstruction of the Somnath Temple.
Today, this temple experiences thousands of visitors every ears, who throng at different times to enjoy various festivals and celebrations.
Somnath Temple Facts
- It is also called as the eternal shrine because it is the spot where Lord Krishna stopped his Lila and entered into his heavenly abode
- The many times in which the temple is constructed shows the power of construction over destruction
- One of the most interesting qualities about this temple, which is an important pilgrimage site is that it is the place that has witnessed the confluence of three rivers, Hiran, Kapila and the mythical Saraswati.
- Key spots around the temple include the Shri Kapardi Vinayak, Shri Hamnuman Temple. Devottes should experience beauty of the sunset at Vallaghhat, which is at point here where the setting sun can be wonderfully viewed.
- In the evening everyday, the temple is illuminated and devotees can experience the ethereal Soung & Light Show through which the exotic beauty of the temple can be experienced.
- In November the temple experiences the Karthik Purnima Fair and Shivratri is celebrated every years with spectacular grandness.
- Important attractions that are close by include Bhaika Tirth, Triveni Ghat, Prabhas Patan Museum and Junagarh Gate.
- Temple current structure was built between 1947 and 1951 and its inauguration was done by none other than Dr Rajendra Prasad, president of India
- According to legends, the famous Kohinoor or Shyamankata Mani was held within its hollowness
- It is cited as an important place of worship in many ancient texts such as the Shivpuran, Rig Veda, Skandapuran and Shreemad Bhagwat
- The main spire of the temple is 15 meters in height and also has a 8.2 meter flag pole
- On the banastambha of the temple, there is the mention that the point where the temple is located is the first point in that particular longitude of land mass between the North pole and the South Pole
- Such is the spirituality of the temple that it is said in ancient Hindu text that the temple;s name will change every time the world is reconstructed and so far the temple has been named eight times in this way
- In this Shiva temple, you cn see sculpture of Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu as well
- It is indeed a place of divinity that has inspired people from time immemorial. According to the Skanda puranam, the very first Somnath temple built in the Treta Yuga was done about built 7,99,25,105 years ago and this is mentioned in the Skand Puranam
- This place is also the location of Vallabhacharya's Baithak
How To Reach Somnath Temple
Best time to visit the temple is between October to March. The Somnath Temple is well connected to key cities through road, rail and air network. Bookings for tickets can be done online else through a reputed travel agency.
Air – Reach Diu, Porbandar airport and get to the temple via taxi or bus.
Rail – Drop at the station in Veraval which is seven km away and them arrive at the temple by bus or taxi
Road – Take the bus service from Veraval to reach the temple. You can also find many state buses and private coaches running service to the temple from various centers in Gujarat. The temple can also be reached by buses that operate from cities Porbandar, Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
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