The Somnath Temple located in Gujarat, India is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. It is believed to be the first of 12 major Shiva temples. The current structure was rebuilt several times after repeated destruction, showing the power of reconstruction is greater than destruction. It is considered highly sacred as the site of the first Jyotirlinga and is visited by millions of pilgrims each year seeking blessings and atonement.

1. The Somnath Temple - Prabhas Pattan, Gujarat
The majestic Somnath Temple, also known as "The Shrine Eternal" is located at Prabhas Pattan
near Veraval port in Saurashtra, Gujarat. No pilgrimage is complete without visiting this
magnificent shrine built in honor of Lord Shiva. The word Somnath literally translates to "Lord of
the Soma", Soma being the Moon God. It is one of the oldest temples of India finding mentions
in Rig Veda, Skandpuran, Shivpuran and Shreemad Bhagavad Geeta. It is believed to be the first
Jyotirlinga among the 12 Holy Jyotirlingas.
The temple is divided into three main areas - the Garbhagraha, the Sabhamandapam and the
Nrityamandapam. The Shikhar of the temple is 150 feet high. The Kalasam or the Kalash weighs
10 tonnes. The flag pole at the top is 8.2 mt long. The temple reflects the skills of the Sompura
Salats, Gujarat's famed stone masons.
History and Legends of the temple
• According to the legend, Chandra was cursed to decrease in size every day by his father-
in-law Daksha because he showed more affection to his wife Rohini and ignored his
other 26 wives who were all daughters of Daksha. After paying penance to Lord Shiva at
the site, he was granted a boon by Shiva that he would grow for 15 days and then lose
one Kala (shade) every day and decrease in size for 15 days. As a result, Someshwar
Kund was established to honour Shiva for removing the curse.
• As per the historians, the time of construction for the first temple at Somnath is
unknown. However, it is recorded that the second temple was built at the site around
649 CE by the Seuna kings of Vallabhi better known as the Yadavas of Devagiri. They
ruled parts of present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
• Al-Junayd, the Governer of Sindh destroyed the temple in around 725 CE during
invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The King Nagabhata ll is said to have constructed the
third temple in 815 CE.
• In 1024, the temple was again attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni. The reconstruction was
done by King Bhoja of Malwa and King Bhimdev I of Patan.
• The temple again became the target of destruction by Alauddin Khilji's forces. The
temple was built again by King Mahipala, then king of Saurashtra in 1308.
• Repeated assaults on the temple were made in 1375 and 1451 by Muzaffar Shah I of the
Gujarat Sultanate and Mahmud Begada, the Sultan of Gujarat respectively.
• The temple also faced the ire of Aurangzeb in 1665. The temple was rebuilt in 1783 by

2. the combined effort of the Peshwas, Bhonsles, Queen Ahilyabai of Indore and Shrimant
Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior.
• The present temple is said to be built in the Chalukya style or the "Kailash Mahameru
Prasad" style. The masonry work was done by Sompura Salats.
• According to the legends, the grandeur of the temple can be assessed by the fact that
the inner temple or the Garbhashay was initially studded with gems. These were looted
in the repeated invasions.The Sandalwood water for Abhishekam was brought from
Haridwar. Flowers for Poojas were brought from Kashmir.
• Three silver gates originally belonging to the Somnath temple were brought back to
India from Lahore after defeating Muhammad Shah by the Maratha king Mahadaji
Shinde. After unsuccessful attempts to re-install them in the Somnath temple, they were
then gifted to two temples in Ujjain - the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and Gopal Mandir
where they can still be seen.
• Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough ordered the British army in Afghanistan to bring
back the Sandalwood gates taken by Mahmud of Ghazni. On arrival, in 1843, they were
found to be fake. They are currently stored in the Agra Fort.
Significance of the temple
• The temple is believed to be the Primary or the First Jyotirlinga among the 12
Jyotirlingas in Hindu mythology. Lord Shiva is said to have appeared in a fiery column of
light from this Linga. The Linga is also believed to be Swayanbhu (self - born) in nature
and is worshiped by millions of people from in India and around the world.
• An inscription in Sanskrit found in the Banastambha also known as the "Arrow Pillar",
Abadhit Samudra Marg and Tirstambh indicates that there is no land in a straight line
between the seashore until Antarctica.
• It is called the "Shrine eternal" because it was destroyed six times in history but still
every time, was rebuilt in glory. The Consecration ceremony for the present structure
was held under Dr. Rajendra Prasad with the words " The Somnath Temple signifies that
the power of creation is always greater than the power of destruction."
• It is believed that, the temple was built in gold first by the Moon God (Chandra). When it
was demolished, it was rebuilt in silver by Ravana. After that was razed down, the
temple was built in wood by Lord Krishna. Eventually Bhimdev reconstructed the temple
with stone.

3. • It is believed that Syamantak Mani, the Philosopher's stone associated with Lord Krishna
is hidden inside Shiva Linga in the temple. This stone is supposed to be magical with the
ability to produce gold. It is believed that it is responsible for creating a magnetic field
around itself which keeps the Linga floating above the ground.
• The Linga is made of iron and the roof of the sanctum is made of loadstone. Builder of
the shrine assured that the magnetic force exerted by the loadstone kept the Linga
floating in air.
• It is believed that you can wash away your sins by taking a dip in the holy water of the
Someshwar Kund. This Kund was built in honour of Lord Shiva after he removed the
curse on Chandra.
• Prabhas Pattan has been a pilgrimage since ancient times because this is the holy site of
Sangam or confluence of three great mythological rivers - the Saraswati, the Hiranya
and the Kapila.
• It is also believed that Prabhas Pattan is the site where Lord Krishna was struck by an
arrow while resting under a tree. He startes his final journey in life from here.
Somnath Temple Timings
• The general Darshan starts from 6:00 AM and ends at 10 PM.
• The Aarti at the main shrine happens at 7 AM, 12 Noon and 7 PM.
• A Light and Sound show titled "Jay Somnath" is performed daily between 8 PM and 9
PM. this show is subject to good weather conditions and may be cancelled on rainy
days.
• Items such as Belts, Mobile phones, Cameras and Shoes are not allowed inside the
temple. Free stalls are available for shoes and lockers are available for storing Cameras
and Phones at the entrance of the temple.
• Wheelchair facilities for disabled / senior citizens are available at the gate of the temple
and Lift facilities are available inside the temple.
• Online darshan facilities are available. Please visit the site www.somnath.org for details.
Dress code
It is advised by the temple management that dresses such as mini-skirts, revealing tops, shorts
etc. should be avoided. Smoking is not allowed inside and around the temple premises.

4. Festivals celebrated at the Temple
• Shravan month - Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting
late July and ending by the third week of August
• Shivratri - It is celebrated as a day when Lord Shiva marries Goddess Parvati. It usually
occurs in late February to early March.
• Golokdham Utsav - It signifies the birth of Lord Krishna, more popularly known as
Janmashtami.
• Kartik Purnima Fair for 5 days
• Somnath Sthapana Divas
Poojas and Rituals
About 30 main types of Poojas and Abhishekams are performed at the temple. Below are the
main poojas performed at the shrine:
• Homatmak Atirudra - This yagna is considered to be the most powerful and the most
sacred yagna out of all the Mahayagnas. It is believed that conducting this Yagna washes
away your sins and brings peace and prosperity. Atirudra consists of eleven recitations
of Maha Rudra. One Maharudram is completed every day, hence the Atirudra yagna is
completed in eleven days.
• Homatmak Maharudra - This Pooja involves 56 highly learned Vedic Pandits reciting
Rudras in one place. Recitations of Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda and Atharva Veda is
done in front of the deities of the temple.
• Homatmak Lagurudra - This Abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and
wealth. It is also done to remove the bad effects of planets in the horoscope.
• Savalaksha Samput Mahamrityunjaya Jaap - This Abhishek is done to increase longevity
and immortality of the person.
Other Poojas and Abhishekams include Savalaksha Bilva Pooja, Kalsarpa yog Nivaran Vidhi,
Shivpuran Path, Mahadugdh Abhishek, Gangajal Abhishek and Navagraha Jaap.
How to reach the Somnath Temple
• By Road - Somnath is well connected by State Transport buses to major cities in Gujarat

5. like Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Dwarka and Chorwad.
• By Train - The nearest railway station is Somnath (0.5 km). regular train service is
available from all major cities in Gujarat.
• By Air - The nearest airport is Diu which is 85 km away.
Where to stay
Rooms operated by the Temple management are available at nominal rates. Accommodations
can be booked in the Sagar Darshan Atithi Gruh, Lilavati Atithi Bhavan, Maheshwari Atithi
Bhavan by visiting the website www.somnath.org
Private hotels are abundant near the temple complex. Make sure that you carry a valid Identity
proof for booking a room
Where to eat
All the Guesthouses managed by the Temple trust hosts a Restaurant which serves various
cuisines like Gujarati, Punjabi and Chinese.
Small eateries are abundant around the temple complex.
Nearby temples
• Bhalka Tirth - It is located at about 5 km from the Prabhas - Veraval highway. This is
where the arrow fired by the poacher Jara hit Sri Krishna who was resting under a
Peepal tree. The Lord Sri Krishna then walked and reached the banks of River Hiran from
where his last journey started.
• Shree Golokdham Tirth or Shree Neejdham Prastham Tirth - It is located on the banks of
River Hiran, 1.5 km away from the Somnath Temple. The footprint of Lord Krishna is
carved here to mark the site of Neejdham Prasthan Leela. Baldev, the elder brother of
Lord Krishna also took his last journey from here in his original serpent form.

6. like Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Dwarka and Chorwad.
• By Train - The nearest railway station is Somnath (0.5 km). regular train service is
available from all major cities in Gujarat.
• By Air - The nearest airport is Diu which is 85 km away.
Where to stay
Rooms operated by the Temple management are available at nominal rates. Accommodations
can be booked in the Sagar Darshan Atithi Gruh, Lilavati Atithi Bhavan, Maheshwari Atithi
Bhavan by visiting the website www.somnath.org
Private hotels are abundant near the temple complex. Make sure that you carry a valid Identity
proof for booking a room
Where to eat
All the Guesthouses managed by the Temple trust hosts a Restaurant which serves various
cuisines like Gujarati, Punjabi and Chinese.
Small eateries are abundant around the temple complex.
Nearby temples
• Bhalka Tirth - It is located at about 5 km from the Prabhas - Veraval highway. This is
where the arrow fired by the poacher Jara hit Sri Krishna who was resting under a
Peepal tree. The Lord Sri Krishna then walked and reached the banks of River Hiran from
where his last journey started.
• Shree Golokdham Tirth or Shree Neejdham Prastham Tirth - It is located on the banks of
River Hiran, 1.5 km away from the Somnath Temple. The footprint of Lord Krishna is
carved here to mark the site of Neejdham Prasthan Leela. Baldev, the elder brother of
Lord Krishna also took his last journey from here in his original serpent form.