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Somnath Someswara Temple | સોમનાથ મંદિર – Somanath, Gujarath

Somanath Someswara Jyotirling (Gujarati:સોમનાથ સોમેશ્વર જ્યોતિર્લીંગ, Hindi:सोमनाथ सोमेस्वर ज्योतिर्लिंग) is located at the Viraval port – Prabhas Pattan in Saurashtra – Gujarat. Known as prabhAsa kshetra, Somnath occupied a much esteemed place in the Hindu holy places.

 Someswara Jyotirlinga is one of the oldest consecrated Jyotirlingas mentioned in Rigveda, Skanda Purana and Mahabharata. The Somnath Linga is considered as the primary and most important of the 12 Jyotir Lingas, as this deity is Swayanbhu (self-born) and always awake.

Someswara Temple - Abstract

Primary Deity and Significance:

Someshwar (Lord Shiva) : Jyotirlinga

Somnath is the first amongst the holy shrines and traditionally, the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple. It is the prime abode of Lord Shiva and is considered to be holiest of all the Jyotirlingas

Important Festivals:

  1. Maha Shivaratri
  2. Somnath Mahadev Fair

Someswara Jyotirling
Gujarath, India

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Note: Tminings may change. Please double check with Temple authorities directly. Last updated 31st Dec. 2012

Darshan at Somnath Temple: 06.00 am to 09.00 pm
Aarti: 07.00 am, 12.00 pm and 07.00 pm
“Jai Somanath” sound and light show: 08.00 pm to 09.00 pm
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Being the prime of 12 jyothirlingas, The first temple of Somnath is said to have existed before the beginning of the Common Era.

  • 649 CE:  The second temple, built by the Yadava kings of Vallabhi in Gujarat, replaced the first one on the same site around 649 CE.
  • 725 CE:  Junayad, the Arab governor of Sind, sent his armies to destroy the second temple in 725 CE.
  • 815 CE:  The Gurjara Pratihara king Nagabhata II constructed the third temple in 815 CE with a large structure of red sandstone.
  • 1024 : Mahmud of Ghazni distroyed the temple in 1024 CE.
  • 1026 – 1042 : The temple was rebuilt by the Gujjar Paramara King Bhoj of Malwa and the Solanki king Bhimadev I of Anhilwara, Gujrat (present day Patan) between 1026 and 1042.
  • 1143-  1172: The wooden structure of the temple was replaced with stone by Kumarpal between 1143-72.
  • 1296 :  Sultan Allauddin Khilji’s army destroyed the temple.
  •  1326 – 1351: The temple was rebuilt by Mahipala Deva, the Chudasama king of Saurashtra in 1308 and the Linga was installed by his son Khengar sometime between 1326 and 1351.
  • 1375 :  The temple was once again destroyed by Muzaffar Shah I, the Sultan of Gujarat in 1375.
  • 1451:  Mahmud Begda, the Sultan of Gujarat once again destroyed the teple in 1451
  • 1701:  Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the temple in 1701 and built a mosque on the site of the Somnath temple, using some columns from the temple, whose Hindu sculptural motifs remained visible.
  • 1783: On a joint effort of Peshwa of Pune, Raja Bhonsle of Nagpur, Chhatrapati Bhonsle of Kolhapur, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore & Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior rebuilt the temple in 1783 at a site adjacent to the ruined temple which was already converted to a mosque.
  • 12th November, 1947: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Deputy Prime Minister of India) ordered the reconstruction of the Somanath temple.
  • October 1950:  The ruins of the temple were pulled down in October 1950 and the mosque present at that site was shifted few miles away
  • May 1951:  Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, performed the installation ceremony for the temple. The current structure what we see was built then.

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GOVERANCE content goes here.
Prabhas Patan, Veraval Somnath,

Gujarat

India.

To Reach Somnath Temple:
By Road :
Somnath is well connected by road to nearby places such as Veraval (7 km), Junagarh (85 km), Porbandar (122 km), Bhavnagar (266 km), Ahmedabad (465 km), and Mumbai (889 km).

By Train:
Veraval Railway Station is the nearest railhead, 7 km from Somnath. It is connected to Ahmedabad and some other cities in Gujarat. Veraval Railway Station Code is VRL.

By Air:
The nearest airport is 55 km away at Keshod, which is linked to Mumbai. Regular buses and taxis are available between Keshod and Somnath. The nearest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.co.in/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Somnath+mandir,+Veraval,+Gujarat,+India&aq=&sll=20.983739,72.880881&sspn=0.69624,1.352692&ie=UTF8&hq=Somnath+mandir,&hnear=Veraval,+Junagadh,+Gujarat&t=m&cid=2812621765577678632&z=11&iwloc=A&output=embed&w=425&h=350]
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Legends of  Somanath Someswar Jyotirling

Daksha had married his 27 daughters to Chander Dev. Moon was very happy on becoming the husband of 27 girls. All the girls were also very happy by this. Out of all these, Moon was most fascinated by the girl named Rohini. Daksha tired to make him understand but, it was useless.

Then King Daksha cursed Moon and made him a patient of tuberculosis. His fame and effect decreased. To cancel this curse, Moon approached lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma said Moon to meditate lord Shiva at Sarnath temple. As told by lord, Moon performed the same thing and got free from the curse.

From that time it is believed that god moon came here to worship lord Shiva. After the worship, lord Shiva said Moon to ask for his wish. On this Moon asked lord Shiva to free him from the curse and forgive all his sins.

Removing the curse fully was not possible for lord Shiva. A solution was taken out that curse of Moon shall not be present in one Paksha out of the two (Krishna and Shukla). Hence, moon grows in one Paksha and decreases its size in the next. Moon was obliged by the grace of lord Shiva and he worshipped him.

Since then, lord Shiva is worshipped at this place. By coming in this temple, lord Shiva became famous in this world. Deities also bow down at this place. Chander Dev is also present at this place.

Significance of Somanath Someswar Jyotirling:

  • There are 12 Jyotirlinga in India. First one is Somnath.
  • According to a mythological saga, lord Krishna left his body at this place. Hence, this place has a beautiful temple of lord Krishna also.
  • According to a story, Somnath Kund at this place was established by deities. It is said that lord Brahma and Shiva also reside at this place. A person who have bath in this Kund, all his sins are cancelled. Even, incurable diseases are also cured. It some one is suffering from tuberculosis, then he should have bath in this Kund for 6 months.
  • If a person can not come here due to some reasons then he should listen the story of origin of this place. Just by hearing this story,  a person receives virtues. Just by visiting Somnath,  a person gets all his wishes fulfilled.
  • If a worshipper join Puja of 2 Mondays at this place, then, all his wishes come true. Worshiping lord Shiva in Shravan month is of great importance. Visiting Somnath during those days have a great significance. It is the grace of lord Shiva that, chanting a rosary of Mahamritunjay mantra at this place gives miraculous results.

 Places near Somnath Temple:

  • Veraval Beach (5 km),
  • Gita Mandir (1 km),
  • Somnath Museum,
  • Junagadh Gate,
  • Ahalyeshwar Mahadev Temple built by Queen Ahalyabai,
  • Lakshmi Narayan temple,
  • Balramjiki Gufa,
  • Mahaprabhuji’s Bethak,
  • Triveni Sangam,
  • Shree Parashuram Temple,
  • Sun Temple,
  • Prachi and Shashibhushan temples,
  • Shree Veneshwar Mahadev Temple,
  • Chorwad Beach (26 km),
  •  Gir National Park (43 km)

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