Somnath Temple – Important Information
| Temple / Deity | Somnath Mahadev (Lord Shiva) |
| Type of Deity | Jyotirlinga |
| Address | Somnath Mandir, Prabhas Patan Dist. Gir Somnath, Gujarat- 362268 |
| Temple Timings | 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (All Days in the Week) |
| Poojas / Rituals | Rudrabhisek, Laghurudrabhisek |
| Best Time to Visit | March to October |
| Festivals / Events | Shravan, Maha Shivratri, Karthik Purnima, Somnath Sthapana Divas |
| Nearest Airport | The nearest airport to Somnath is Diu Airport, which is around 63 km from Somnath. |
| Nearest Railway Station | The nearest railway station to Somnath is Veraval, which is 5 km away from Somnath. |
| Nearest Bus Stand | The nearest bus stand is Somnath Bus Stand, which is only 700m away from Somnath. |
The Somnath temple, also called Shree Somnath Mahadev or Deo Patan, is located at Prabhas Patan, Veraval in Gujarat. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva.
Somnath Mandir is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot in Gujarat. The temple is located on the ancient Triveni Sangam or the confluence of three rivers – Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati. It has been mentioned in ancient texts like Shreemad Bhagavat Gita, Skandpuran, Shivpuran, and Rig-Veda which signifies the importance of this temple as one of the most celebrated pilgrimage sites.
Somnath Temple | Somnath Mahadev Mandir
Somnath means “Lord of the Soma” or “moon”. The site is also called Prabhasa (“place of splendor”). Somnath temple has been the first Aadi jyotirlinga site for the Hindus, and a holy place of pilgrimage (tirtha ).
The Somanatha Temple was originally founded in the 10th century (as per historic records) on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The wealth of the temple attracted many raiders, and thus looted and destroyed multiple times. The present temple was reconstructed with the great initiative of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel which was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India on 11 May 1951.
Legends Of Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
As per Hindu scriptures, it is believed that Chandradev (Moon) married the twenty-seven daughters (27 Nakshatras) of King Daksha. But he loved only one wife Rohini the most as compared to the other 26 wives. Seeing the injustice being done to his remaining 26 daughters, King Daksha cursed Chandradev that his luster would gradually end.
After his curse, the shine of Chandradev (Soma) started decreasing every day. To get rid of the curse of King Daksha, Chandradev offered penance to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva became pleased with the worship of Chandradev and he freed Chandradev from the curse of Daksha. As a result, Shiva was also called Someshvara (Lord of the Moon). After getting rid of the curse, Chandradev built a temple of Lord Shiva at this place, which we know as Somnath, and a Kund to honor Shiva for removing the curse, which is called Someshwar Kund.
History Of Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
It is estimated by historians that the Somnath Temple was destroyed at least six times in the past. The actual time period and how the temple was first constructed is unknown. However, it is said that the second temple was built by the Seuna Kings of Vallabhi (Yadavas of Devagiri) in around 649 CE.
The first attack on the temple was by Al-Junayd, the Governor of Sindh in around 725 CE, during invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. King Nagabhata-ll reconstructed the third temple in 815 CE.
In 1024, Turkic invader, Mahmud of Ghazni (Mahmud Ghaznavi) attacked and looted the Somnath temple. He demolished the temple and killed all the devotees who attempted to save it from the loot. According to historian Cynthia Talbot, it is estimated that 50,000 devotees lost their lives in trying to stop Mahmud during his sack of Somnath temple.
Later King Kumarapala (1143–72) of Solanki (Chaulukya Dynasty) rebuilt the Somnath temple in excellent stone and studded it with jewels, according to an inscription in 1169. He replaced a decaying wooden temple with stones.
The next attack on Somnath was done by Alauddin Khilji. The idol of the god was stolen, and many devotees were captured in the process. King Mahipala-I, the Chudasama king of Saurashtra, rebuilt it in 1308. Later, Muzaffar Shah-I and Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate, respectively, made repeated loot and assaults in 1375 and 1451. The temple also faced the rage of Aurangzeb in 1665.
In 1782-83 the Peshwas, Bhonsles, Queen Ahilyabai of Indore and Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior together reconstructed this temple. Later it was again looted by the Portuguese.
The temple’s Garbhagrih initially contained many gems. Over a period of time, many invaders took them. Three silver gates, originally belonging to the Somnath temple, were brought back to India from Lahore. This was after the Maratha king Mahadaji Shinde defeated Muhammad Shah.
After unsuccessful attempts to re-install them in the Somnath temple, they were then gifted to two temples in Ujjain – the Mahakaleshwar Temple and Gopal Mandir where they are still present.
After the independence of India, Deputy Prime Minister Vallabhbhai Patel came to Junagadh on 12 November 1947 and he ordered the reconstruction of the Somnath temple. Gandhi blessed the move but suggested that the funds for the construction should be collected from the public and that the temple should not be funded by the state.
The temple ruins were pulled down in October 1950 and on 11 May 1951, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India performed the installation ceremony for the present Somnath temple.
Somnath Temple Architecture
The present temple is a Chaulukya or Solanki-style temple. The architect of the new Somnath temple was Prabhashankarbhai Oghadbhai Sompura, who worked on recovering and integrating the old recoverable parts with the new design in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The new Somnath temple is an intricately carved, two-level temple with a pillared mandapa and 212 relief panels.
The temple is divided into three main areas – the Garbhagraha, the Sabhamandapam, and the Nrityamandapam. The temple’s śikhara, or main spire, is 15 meters (49 ft) in height above the sanctum, and it has an 8.2-meter-tall flag pole at the top. The Kalasam (Kalash) weighs 10 tons. The temple reflects the skills of the Sompura Salats, Gujarat’s famed stonemasons.
An inscription in Sanskrit is found in the Banastambha also known as the “Arrow Pillar”. The Abadhit Samudra Marg and Tirstambh indicate that there is no land in a straight line between the seashore until Antarctica.
Somnath Jyotirlinga Poojas and Rituals
The following pujas and rituals are performed at Somnath Temple:
- Homatmak Atirudra: This yajna is the most powerful and sacred yajna of all the Mahayagnas. This yagna cleanses you of your sins and brings you serenity and prosperity. The Atirudra consists of eleven Maha Rudra recitations.
- Homatmak Maharudra: This puja is conducted by 56 highly learned Vedic Pandits reciting the Rudras all at once. In addition, the priest recites Rigveda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharva Veda in front of the temple’s deities.
- Homatmak Lagurudra: This Abhishek is done to resolve issues related to health and wealth. It also removes the evil effects of planets in the horoscope.
- Savalax Bilva Puja: 1.25 lac of Bilvapatra (Bilva Leaves) offered to Shiva.
- Other Poojas and Abhishekams include Kalsarpa Yog Nivaran Vidhi, Shivpuran Path, Mahadugdh Abhishek, Gangajal Abhishek, and Navagraha Jaap.
Somnath Temple Timings
Somnath Temple Timings: The temple remains open for devotees from 6 am to 9 pm (10 PM in summer). Aarti is performed thrice in the temple and Shiva devotees come from far and wide to see this aarti. Apart from this, a light and sound show is also run in the temple from 7:30-8:30 pm.
| Rituals & Events | From | To |
| Darshan / Puja | 6 AM | 9 PM |
| Morning Aarti | 7 AM | 7:30 AM |
| Afternoon Aarti | 12 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Evening Aarti | 7 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Light & Sound Show | 7:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
Best Time to Visit Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
The best time to visit Somnath Jyotirlinga is from October to March. The favorable weather during these months ensures that devotees do not have to deal with crowds while waiting in long queues (sometimes) for the Shiva Linga Darshan and Puja.
Festivals Celebrated At Somnath Temple
Some of the festivals celebrated at Somnath Temple are:
- Mahashivaratri: This festival occurs in late February or early March. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this day. The day is famous for rigorous poojas, bhajans, and abhishekam. The devotees decorate the linga with flowers and conduct the Abhishek with milk. Thousands of people visit the temple during this festival.
- Shravan month: Shravan Maas falls on the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, starting late July and ending by the third week of August. During the Shravan Maas, the chanting of the Rudra Mantra echoes in the temple.
- Golokdham Utsav: It is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s birth, also known as Janmashtami.
- Kartik Purnima Fair: Kartik Purnima is considered to be one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar. The fair lasts for five days.
- Somnath Sthapana Divas: This is the foundation day of Somnath Temple and is celebrated on the 11th of May every year,
Some Interesting Facts About Somnath Mandir
- There is a pole at the south of the temple, which is known as Baan Stambh. An arrow is placed above it, which points toward the south pole. It means, while going in this direction, you can reach the South Pole through water without touching the earth.
- Here there is a confluence of three rivers Hiran, Kabini, and Saraswati. People usually come to this place to take bath in this confluence.
- Somnath Mandir was known as Prabhas Kshetra earlier. This is the same place where Shri Krishna ended his life.
- It is believed that the dev-dwars (door) kept in Agra belong to the Somnath temple. These dev dwars were looted by Mahmud Ghaznavi during his attack on Somnath Mandir.
- The Kalash placed on the top of the temple weighs 10 tons and its flag is 27 feet high.
- Somnath Jyotirling is the first established Aadi jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. After the Somnath Jyotirling, other Jyotirlingas were established in Varanasi, Rameshwaram, Dwarka, and other places.
- People of other religions have to take special permission to enter this temple.
Things to Do and See in Somnath | Places Near Somnath Temple
- Visit the Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the holiest places in Dwarka, Gujrat. Perform poojas and darshan.
- There are various temples to see around the beautiful city of Somnath. Do visit these locations:
- Bhalka Tirth: It is 5 km from the Prabhas Veraval highway. This is the place 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 he started his last journey.
- Junagadh Gate: This is one of the most popular tourist sites in Gujarat. Long ago, Mohammad Ghazni entered via this gate and robbed the famous Somnath temple and turning it into ruins. Despite its age, this monument continues to be one of the attractive places for history lovers.
- Shree Golokdham Teerth or Shree Neejdham Prastham Teerth: It is located on the banks of the Hiran River, 1.5 kilometers from the Somnath Temple. The footprint of Lord Krishna is carved here to mark the site of the temple. Balaram, Lord Krishna’s elder brother, also began his final trip from here in his original serpent form.
How To Reach Somnath Temple
Somnath is about 400 kilometers southwest of Ahmedabad, 82 kilometers south of Junagadh, about 7 kilometers southeast of the Veraval railway junction, about 130 kilometers southeast of the Porbandar airport, and about 85 kilometers west of Diu.
The Somnath temple is located along the coastline in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. It is accessible via all three modes: air, rail, and road.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Somnath is Diu Airport, which is around 63 km from Somnath. To reach here you can get a flight from any major city. Apart from Diu Airport, you can also reach Somnath Temple via Porbandar Airport or Rajkot Airport, which are respectively 120 km and 160 km away from the temple.
- By Train: The nearest railway station to Somnath is Veraval, which is 5 km away from Somnath. The station is well connected via rail from all major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. Apart from this, Passenger trains also stop here. After reaching this station, you can hire an auto or taxi to reach Somnath Mandir.
- By Road: The fastest route to travel using roadways is via NH27 and NH47. It takes about 7 hours of drive between Ahmedabad and Somnath temple using the road. You can reach here from other places like Diu Rajkot and Porbandar.
Where To Stay In Somnath
There are plenty of budget accommodation options available, ranging from luxury hotels to budget rooms to Dharamshala.
Accommodations for the pilgrims are also provided by Somnath Temple Management at nominal rates. You can book those rooms by visiting the official website at www.somnath.org.
You can book rooms in the Sagar Darshan Atithi Gruh, Lilavati Atithi Gruh, Maheshwari Samaj Atithi Gruh, and Dormitory (AC & Non-AC), which are run by the temple trust.
Private hotels are also abundant near the Somnath Temple complex. All the hotels are well-furnished and laced with modern amenities. To name a few good hotels:
- The Square Somnath
- The Fern Residency Somnath
- The Bliss Hotel
- Lords Inn Somnath
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple Contact Details
Address: Somnath, Prabhas Patan Dist. Gir Somnath, Gujarat 362268
Phone: +91-94282 14914
Official Website: https://somnath.org
Email: support@somnath.org
Location of Google Maps: Shree Somnath Temple
FAQs – Somnath Mahadev Temple
1. Is the Somnath Temple open throughout the year?
Yes, Somnath Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
2. Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?
Wheelchair facilities for disabled and senior citizens are available at the gate of the temple. Lift facilities are also present inside the temple.
3. Is there any Online Darshan facility available?
Yes, please visit the website www.somnath.org for Online Darshan.
4. Can I carry mobiles and gadgets into the temple?
No. All electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited (viz. mobile, camera, laptop). They can be stored in lockers available in the Cloak Room. The cloakroom facility is free of cost.
Also Read: