Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple

Introduction — The Shrine Eternal

Somnath Temple, reverently called the “Shrine Eternal” or “Prabhas Tirtha”, holds the supreme position among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Located at Prabhas Patan in Veraval, Saurashtra, on the southwestern coast of Gujarat, this magnificent temple has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, survived countless attacks, and been rebuilt time and again — each time more glorious than before. It is not merely a temple; it is a living testament to the indestructible spirit of Sanatana Dharma.

The name Somnath is derived from two Sanskrit words — Soma (the Moon God) and Nath (Lord or Master) — meaning “Lord of the Moon.” According to Hindu scriptures, the Moon God Chandra himself built this temple in gold to worship Lord Shiva, and the divine Jyotirlinga here is believed to be self-manifested (swayambhu), making it one of the most powerful and sacred lingas in all of creation.

The temple stands at the very edge of the Arabian Sea, with a unique stone pillar called the Baan Stambha (Arrow Pillar) that bears an inscription pointing south, stating that there is no land between this point and the South Pole — a remarkable geographical and spiritual marker that fills every visitor with a sense of awe and infinity.

Mythological Origin & Significance

The origin of Somnath Jyotirlinga is rooted in one of the most compelling stories from the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana. Chandra (the Moon God) was married to the 27 daughters of Prajapati Daksha. However, Chandra showed excessive love and favoritism toward only one wife — Rohini — neglecting the others. This deeply hurt the other 26 wives, who complained to their father Daksha. Enraged, Daksha cursed Chandra: “Your radiance shall diminish day by day until you fade completely.”

The curse began to take effect immediately, and the Moon started losing its glow. Terrified and helpless, Chandra sought the counsel of Lord Brahma, who advised him to go to Prabhas Tirtha on the western coast and worship Lord Shiva with complete devotion. Chandra came to this sacred land, bathed in the Triveni Sangam, and performed intense tapasya (penance) for six months, reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 1,000,008 times.

Pleased by Chandra’s unwavering devotion and penance, Lord Shiva appeared before him as a radiant pillar of divine light — the Jyotirlinga — and granted him a boon. Since Daksha’s curse could not be entirely reversed, Shiva offered a partial remedy: “You will wane for 15 days (Krishna Paksha) and wax for 15 days (Shukla Paksha) every lunar month.” This is why the Moon waxes and wanes to this day. Since Shiva himself appeared here to relieve Chandra (Soma) of his suffering, this divine Linga is known as Somnath — the Lord and Protector of Soma/Moon.

The Rigveda mentions this shrine as Prabhas Kshetra, and it is also referenced in the Mahabharata, where Lord Krishna, after the Kurukshetra war, came to Prabhas Patan and spent his final days here. It is believed that Lord Krishna left his mortal body at Bhalka Tirth, just 2 km from Somnath, making this entire region doubly sacred — sacred to both Shaivites and Vaishnavites.

History — 17 Times Destroyed, 17 Times Reborn

The history of Somnath Temple is one of the most dramatic and inspiring stories in the annals of Indian civilization. The temple has been attacked, looted, and demolished multiple times over centuries — yet each time, it rose from the ruins, rebuilt by devoted kings, rulers, and common people united by faith.

The Ancient Temples (Pre-Medieval Era)

According to tradition, the original Somnath temple was built by the Moon God Chandra himself in pure gold. It was later rebuilt by the Sun God (Surya) in silver, then by Lord Krishna in sandalwood (chandan), and finally by the legendary king Bhimdev (of the Solanki dynasty) in stone. The stone temple became one of the wealthiest and most magnificent shrines in all of Asia, with thousands of villages donating revenues to it and 300 musicians, 500 dancing girls, and 200 barbers serving the temple round the clock.

The Attack of Mahmud of Ghazni (1024 AD)

The most infamous attack on Somnath was by Mahmud of Ghazni in January 1026 AD. He marched from Afghanistan with a massive army, defeated the defenders, looted the immense treasure of the temple, broke the Shivalinga, and burned the structure to the ground. According to historical accounts, 50,000 Hindu devotees died defending the temple. Despite this, within years, the temple was rebuilt — first by the Paramara king Bhoj and the Solanki king Bhimdev I.

Subsequent Attacks and Rebuildings

The temple was again attacked and damaged by Alauddin Khilji’s general Afzal Khan in 1299 AD, then by Muzaffar Shah I in 1395 AD, Mahmud Begada in 1451 AD, and finally Aurangzeb in 1706 AD, who demolished the temple and constructed a mosque in its place. Each time, Hindu kings, queens, and noble devotees rebuilt it — the resilience of faith never wavering despite the repeated destruction.

Modern Reconstruction (Post-Independence)

After Indian Independence in 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited Somnath and was moved to tears by its dilapidated state. He vowed to rebuild it as a symbol of India’s independence and Hindu pride. The Jyotirlinga was installed on May 11, 1951 by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The full temple complex was inaugurated by President Shankar Dayal Sharma on December 1, 1995 in the magnificent Chalukya style of architecture.

Architecture

The present Somnath Temple is a breathtaking example of Kailash Mahameru Prasad style (Chalukya/Maru-Gurjara architecture). Key architectural features include:

• Main Shikhara (Spire): 155 feet (47 meters) tall
• Flag Post (Dhwajastambha): 37 feet tall
• Baan Stambha: Arrow pillar pointing toward the South Pole
• Sabha Mandap: Large prayer hall with intricately carved pillars
• Garbhagriha: Inner sanctum housing the sacred Somnath Shivalinga
• Nandi Hall: Grand hall with massive Nandi statue
• Subsidiary Shrines: Parvati Temple, Ganesh Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple within complex

The Sacred Triveni Sangam

At the rear of Somnath Temple lies the Triveni Sangam — the sacred confluence of rivers Hiran, Kapila, and the mythical underground Saraswati — where they merge into the Arabian Sea. Pilgrims take a sacred dip here before entering the temple, believing it purifies all sins accumulated over multiple lifetimes.

Bhalka Tirth — Where Lord Krishna Left His Mortal Body

Just 2 km from Somnath lies Bhalka Tirth, where Lord Krishna, resting under a Peepal tree, was accidentally shot in the heel by a hunter named Jara. Krishna forgave Jara and ascended to his divine abode. A beautiful temple marks this sacred spot today.

Aarti & Daily Rituals

Every day begins with the Mangala Aarti at 7:00 AM and concludes with the Shayan Aarti at 10:00 PM. During Shravan month, special aartis and abhisheks are performed every Monday. Every evening at 8:00 PM, a spectacular Sound and Light Show narrates the history and mythology of Somnath.

Major Festivals

• Maha Shivaratri: All-night puja, abhishek, and bhajans. Lakhs of devotees attend.
• Kartik Purnima: Massive pilgrimage and holy dip at Triveni Sangam.
• Shravan Somvar: Special abhishek every Monday in Shravan month.
• Navratri: Nine nights of Garba and devotional programs.
• Somnath Fair: Annual fair with cultural programs and bhajans.

How to Reach

By Air: Diu Airport (63 km) or Rajkot Airport (190 km).
By Train: Veraval Railway Station (6 km) — connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot & Mumbai.
By Road: NH-51 connects Somnath. Buses from Ahmedabad (407 km), Rajkot (190 km), Junagadh (85 km).

Nearby Attractions

• Bhalka Tirth (2 km) — Where Lord Krishna left his mortal body
• Triveni Sangam — Sacred river confluence
• Somnath Museum — Artifacts from old temple ruins
• Gir National Park (50 km) — Last home of Asiatic lions
• Junagadh (85 km) — Uparkot Fort and Girnar Hill
• Dwarka (235 km) — Char Dham city of Lord Krishna

Spiritual Importance

The Shiva Purana declares that a darshan of Somnath Jyotirlinga destroys all sins accumulated over countless births and leads the devotee toward moksha (liberation). Somnath is particularly recommended for those seeking relief from the malefic effects of the Moon (Chandra) in their horoscope. Whether you are a devout pilgrim or a curious traveler, Somnath leaves an indelible mark on the soul.