Imagine standing on the edge of the Arabian Sea, where waves touch the sand below the towering spires of Somnath Temple– a living demonstration of centuries of faith, prayers, revival, and struggle, where every marble narrates the story of devotion and strength.
Somnath Temple is a magnificent Hindu temple on Gujarat’s western coast. One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas, it is revered as a place where Lord Shiva is hero-worshipped in his most powerful incarnation. It holds a significant spot in the hearts of millions of devotees and is one of the country’s most esteemed and ancient temples.
With its magnificent past and ongoing spiritual legacy, Somnath Temple continues to attract numerous devotees across the globe. It stands as a symbol of divine strength and resilience. Thousands of devotees visit Somnath yearly to pay their devotion to Lord Shiva.
Want to discover more about this sacred Hindu temple? Put on your glasses, as this article will take you on a comprehensive reading tour of the Somnath temple. It includes everything from history to mythological stories and legends associated with temples. Let’s get started and see what makes Somnath temple a must-visit.
Glorifying History of Somnath Temple
Similar to the history of Bharat, the Somnath temple’s past is full of invasions and destruction, but this temple gained through all of them. This amazing structure standing tall on the western coast of India depicts a story of faith, renewal, and demolition.
The history of this shrine dates back to mythology. It is believed that Somraj (the Moon God) first created it, followed by Ravana who made it from silver. Lord Krishna then replaced it with sandalwood, and finally, Bhimdev built it with stones.
Over the centuries, the temple noticed a series of invasions and destruction, notably by the King Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 CE. However, every time the foreign invaders destroyed the temple, our ancient rulers such as Shri Vikramaditya of Ujjaini, Bhimdev in Anhilwara, and Khangara of Junagadh among many more reconstructed it.
Many such demolitions by the Muslims and reconstruction by the Hindus continuously went on for several years. Today, Somnath Temple is built in the Chalukya style of architecture, symbolizing the never-ending faith and stability. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel inaugurated it on December 1, 1947, and is a great testament to India’s rich cultural legacy.
Legends and Stories Behind Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple has many interesting stories and legends associated with it and that’s what excites all the history lovers and curious travelers. According to mythological tales, Chandra or Moon God has used to tread this place to get rid of the curse given by his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati.
Legends say that the Moon god married 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. But out of the total 27 wives, Rohini was the only wife, he loved and the rest were ignored. Seeing this Daksha Prajapati was upset with the neglect of other daughters thus he cursed the moon that he would lose all his brightness soon.
The anxious moon god reaches Prabhas Patan to repay her homage to Lord Shiva and get free from the curse. After a lot of prayers, Lord Shiva realizes his devotion and relieves him from the curse. To pay gratefulness, the Moon God established a Jyotirlingam at this place which is now well known as Somnath temple.
Somnath Temple Timing
Somnath Temple opens at a specific time for devotees to visit. Below are some general visiting hours of the temple:
| Morning | 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM | Temple opening & Mangla Aarti |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Darshan (General visiting hours) |
| Afternoon | 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM | Bhog Aarti |
| Afternoon | 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM | Temple closes for Bhog and Rajbhog preparations |
| Evening | 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Darshan (General Visiting Time) |
| Evening | 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM | Sandhya Aarti |
| Evening | 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM | Shringar Darshan |
Remember that timing may vary during special occasions, festivals, and holy days, and other ceremonies and rituals may happen. During such time it is better to know if there are any specific timings or if there have been any changes to the schedule.
It is suggested to reach the temple in the early hours to avoid any long queues and have a lot of time for the peaceful and memorable darshan of Lord Shiva.
Significance of Somnath Temple
Somnath Jyotirlinga holds massive religious and spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. A pilgrimage to this holy temple is supposed to grant blessings, fulfil desires, and sanctify the soul. Follow are some of the significance of Somnath temple:
1. Spiritual Significance
The temple is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the divine incarnation of Lord Shiva. Many of the devotees believe that visiting this site and offering prayers to lord shiva helps achieve freedom from any material attachments.
2. Symbol of strength
Reconstruction of the temple after several invasions showcases the unbeatable energy of the Indians and their dedication to preserving their religious and cultural roots.
3. Cultural Heritage
Somnath Temple’s historical significance makes it a vital part of India’s architectural and cultural legacy. It mirrors the gloriousness of ancient Indian artistry and architecture.
Best Time to Visit the Somnath Temple
The best time to visit this Somnath temple depends on your personal needs and factors like peak timings, crowd level, and climate conditions. But, there are some points to consider while planning your journey to this sacred site.
1. Winter Season
October to February month is considered the finest season to visit the Somnath Jyotirlinga. The weather at this time of the season is pleasant with temperatures ranging between 15°C to 25°C. It is perfect timing to take a tour of this temple as there is no heat or humidity.
2. Festive Occasions
Thousands of devotees visit Somnath temple during the auspicious and festive event. The most famous festival at Somnath is Mahashivratri, which usually drops between February and March. Indeed, it is a wonderful time to visit and hold a triumphant feast to please the Lord Shiva.
3. Avoid Monsoon Season
June to September brings heavy rainfall to the holy region, causing trouble when visiting temples and travelling. Furthermore, the temple may have restricted entry or some sections closed due to climatic conditions. It is better to check the weather forecast and traffic conditions before the visit.
4. Non-peak hours and Weekdays
To avoid enormous crowds, it is suggested to visit the temple on weekdays or during non-peak hours Early mornings and evenings time are less crowded, providing a more calm and peaceful environment for prayers and meditation.
5. Early Planning
Despite the season, it is always good to plan for a visit, especially if you are travelling during the festive season. Booking in advance for accommodation and means of transport makes the journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Local sightseeing at Somnath:
After taking the blessing of Lord Shiva from the main temple, you can also explore other important sites. There is also a local sightseeing bus available for tourists which starts from near the temple and tours all nearby places at nominal charges.
You can also take an auto but I feel the bus is a more economical option. Here is some local sightseeing that you can plan to visit while on your Somnath Journey:
1. Old Somnath Temple
After Nawab Sujat Khan, an invader under the command of Aurangzeb, reduced the Somnath temple to ashes, Holkar queen Ahilyabai rebuilt the Shiva linga in its basement in 1783 to protect it from military attacks. Many people regard this shiva linga as the first of the jyotirlingas. Do also visit this temple too; it is just right next to the new temple.
2. Ban Ganga
Ban Ganga is a shrine located in the sea, more precisely in the Arabian Sea. There are two shillings within the sea, which can be seen only during the low tide. The worship place of Lord Shiva and where hunter Jara gave her bath is in this complex. This is the same place where hunter Jara took a bath and worshipped Lord Shiva before going hunting.
3. Bhalka Tirth
This place is a must-visit for lord Krishna lovers. It is the spot where he was shot in his foot with an arrow by the hunter known as Jara. After which he relinquished his human body and moved to his divine abode known as Vaiaikunth.
4. Hinglaj Mata Gufa and Triveni Sangam
The temple dedicates itself to Hinglaj Mata, the family deity of the Pandavas. A small shrine for her exists, where people crawl through a very narrow entry to reach the cave where they worship her. Close by there is an old Surya temple and the Triveni Sangam that marks the meeting point of the Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati rivers. However, it is important to note that the rivers also flow into the Arabian Sea at this point.
5. Geeta Mandir and Balaram Gufa
At this place, Lord Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna left the earth after transforming himself in the form of Sheshnag. There is a cave shrine that has a spiral mark like a snake on the wall which is said to have been created at the time when lord Balaram left. There is also Geeta Mandir temple and Laxmi Narayan temple.
How to Reach Somnath Temple?
To reach Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, you can consider the following modes of transportation:
1. By Roads
All the necessary places in Gujarat are connected to Somnath. Ahmedabad is 400 km, Bhavnagar is 266, Porbandar is 122 km, and Rajkot is 190 km away from Somanath. All other major cities of the country are also well connected to Somnath via road. You can easily reach the temple via car, taxi, or bus.
2. By Air
Diu Airport (DIU) is the nearest airport at a distance of 85 km from Somnath. You can also consider Rajkot and Ahmedabad airport to reach the temple.
3. By Train
Somnath is well connected to other major cities of the country through routine trains. The distance from Veraval Railway Station to the Somnath temple is about 7 Km as this is one of the closest stations to the temple. The Trains are general from Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Dwarka to Veraval.
So, it’s a great time to pack up your bags and visit this pilgrimage site to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. When you visit Somnath, don’t miss spending a visit to some more local places in Somnath which include Parasuram Temple, Panch Pandav Gufa, Balukha Tirtha, Suraj Mandir, Junagadh Gate, Triveni Ghat, and many more.
Unknown Facts About Somnath Temple
- There is a very strange fact about the location of the Somnath temple. From the location of the temple to the South Pole, no land lies in between.
- In India, there are 12 Jyotirlinga out of which Somnath is believed to be the first.
- This is the same place where Lord Krishna finished all his earthly entities and went to Vaikuntha Dham.
- Many legends say that this temple contained magical stones that could change anything into gold. Lord Krishna associates the Syantaka Mani with a sacred stone.
- The Skanda Purana cites this temple in a chapter called Prabhasa Khanda. It is also described in the Rig Veda and the Bhagavat.
Conclusion
Somnath Temple in Gujarat is the most important jyotirlinga shrine on the earth. It is an incredible privilege site to visit for the followers of Lord Shiva or even Hindus. Situated on the bustling west coast of Gujarat, this Shiv temple is truly heavenly beauty, offering devotees peace of mind and body.
They demolished and rebuilt the temple multiple times, ensuring that it is located in a straight line between Somnath and Antarctica, with no land in between. Isn’t this mesmerizing? Facts like this make us believe that spirituality and science can complement each other in such a beautiful manner.
Don’t wait any longer it’s the perfect time to visit the trip to Somnath Jyotirlinga temple. May your trip to Somnath temple will be full of memories and blessings of Mahadev.
Frequently Asked Questions
The detailed carved honey-colored Somnath Jyotirlinga temple on the western side of the state is considered to be the place where the first of the twelve holy Jyotirlingas emerged in India - a place where shiva appeared as a fiery column of light.
If you are planning for a short and quick trip, then a tour of the Somnath temple can be done in 3 days and 2 nights. However, if you want a long holiday, we advise you to take about 5 days and 4 nights for the tour.
Somnath Temple has a long and stormy history, as it was demolished and reconstructed several times by various foreign invaders and rulers. Yet, one of the most fascinating aspects of the temple is the idol of Shiva, which was said to float in mid-air without any support.
Inappropriate dresses or outfits are not permitted and you are advised to avoid them. Also, things like Smoking and photography are not allowed within the temple.
Legends say there is a magical stone, which is capable of producing gold. It is also believed that stone had alchemic and radioactive properties and could produce a magnetic field around itself that helped it remain floating above ground.
The Somnath Temple was looted and destroyed around seventeen times. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was instrumental in the construction of the current Somnath temple, an edifice reminding visitors of the splendor of the original Somnath temple.