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Somnath Jyotirlinga
The first Jyotirlinga situated on the Arabian Sea coast and one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India.
The first Jyotirlinga situated on the Arabian Sea coast and one of the most sacred Shiva temples in India.
Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at Prabhas Patan in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Situated on the western coast of India overlooking the Arabian Sea, the temple is one of the most important Shiva pilgrimage destinations in the country.
The name Somnath means "Lord of the Moon." According to Hindu tradition, Chandra Dev, the Moon God, worshipped Lord Shiva at Prabhas Tirth to seek relief from a curse. Lord Shiva is believed to have blessed Chandra Dev and appeared here in the form of a Jyotirlinga.
Somnath Temple is known for its deep religious, historical and architectural significance. The present temple stands dramatically beside the Arabian Sea and features traditional Indian temple architecture, intricate stone carvings and a magnificent shikhara. The temple is regarded as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas by the Somnath Trust and Gujarat Tourism.
The temple has a long and eventful history and has been rebuilt several times. The modern reconstruction was undertaken after India's independence, following the resolve of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Pran-Pratishtha of the present temple was performed on 11 May 1951 by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Today, Somnath attracts pilgrims and travellers throughout the year. Devotees visit the temple to offer prayers, participate in religious ceremonies and experience the peaceful spiritual atmosphere of the sacred coastal town. Nearby attractions include Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth and Prabhas Patan, making Somnath an important destination for both pilgrimage and heritage travel.
Somnath has a long history associated with Hindu religious traditions and the sacred region of Prabhas Patan in Gujarat. Somnath is one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is traditionally regarded as the first among them.
According to Hindu tradition, Chandra Dev, the Moon God, worshipped Lord Shiva at Prabhas Tirth after being affected by a curse. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared here as a Jyotirlinga and blessed Chandra Dev. Traditional accounts also associate successive temples at the site with gold, silver, wood and stone constructions.
The Somnath site has been an important centre of pilgrimage for centuries. The temple stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the confluence of the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers and has remained an important religious destination in western India.
Historical sources describe several episodes of damage and reconstruction at Somnath over the centuries. The temple was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in the early 11th century, and later historical accounts describe further episodes of destruction and rebuilding.
After India's independence, the reconstruction of Somnath Temple became an important project. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins of the temple in November 1947 and supported its reconstruction. The foundation stone of the new temple was laid on 8 May 1950.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, performed the Pran-Pratishtha of the existing temple on 11 May 1951. The temple was constructed according to traditional architectural principles and was completed in stages.
The fully reconstructed temple was dedicated to the nation on 1 December 1995. Today, Somnath remains an important pilgrimage and heritage destination, attracting devotees and travellers throughout the year.
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October to March
