Somnath Jyotirling, Gujarat

The Somnath temple is also known as the Deo Patan (the indestructible temple) situated in Veraval in Saurashtra on the western shore of Gujarat, India. The temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas. It is a crucial pilgrimage and tourist place in Gujarat. Reconstructed and remodeled many times in the past after continuous demolition by various Muslim invaders and rulers, the existing mandir was rebuilt in the Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and finalized in May 1951. The temple began constructed again with the orders of the Home Minister of India “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel” and was completed after his death. Presently the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is the chairman of Somnath Mandir trust.

According to belief, the Shivalinga in Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, where Shiva is thought to have arisen as a fiery pillar of light. The jyotirlingas are taken as the supreme, united existence out of which Shiva partly arises.

Legend

There is a fascinating tale linked with Somnath Temple. It is assumed that Moon God (who was denounced for favoring one of his wives) prayed to Bhagwan Shiva at the same site of the temple. Bhagwan Shiva emerged before penancing Moon-god and liberated him from the curse. Moon recouped his radiance and Somnath became a holy site for the Shaivites. Another story states that the first temple of Somnath was constructed in gold by the Moon-god (Soma), silver by the Sun god (Ravi) and in wood by Shri Krishna.

In May 1951, Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, invited by K M Munshi, conducted the inauguration ritual for the shrine. The President explained in his address, “It is my view that the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple will be finished on that day when not only an extraordinary structure will emerge on this foundation, but the tower of India’s success will be that prosperity of which the historical temple of Somnath was a symbol.”He added: “The Somnath temple resembles the power of reconstruction is always bigger than the power of destruction.

Architecture of Somnath Jyotirling, Gujarat

Architecture

The present temple is constructed in the Chaulukya style of architecture or "Kailash Mahameru Prasad" style and reveals the skill of the Sompura Salats, one of Gujarat's ace masons. The shrine's śikhara, or main spire, is 15 meters in height, and it has an 8.2-meter-tall flag pole at the top.

The temple is positioned at such a place that there is no land in a straight line between the Somnath coast until Antarctica, such a description in Sanskrit is found on the Bāṇastambha assembled on the sea-protection wall. The Bāṇastambha explains that it stands at a point on the Indian mainland that is the first point on land in the north to the South Pole at that specific longitude. However, this assertion is veritably inaccurate on fact that a line from the ''Bāṇastambha'' to the South Pole intersects the French Southern and Antarctic Islands. This is due to the fact that the entire temple area (that contains pillar) is within 70°24' E longitude whereas the French Southern and Antarctic Islands spans 68°38' E–70°33' E.

How to reach Somnath Jyotirling, Gujarat?

By Train: Somnath has its railway station which is well-connected to different major parts of India.

By Air: Diu Airport is the closest airport to Somnath temple. The distance from Diu airport to Somnath is around 90 km.

By Bus: Regular buses run to the Somanth temple from any major city in Gujarat like Ahmedabad or Vadodara.

brahma

/devalayam