Someshwara (Shiva) :
Firmly believed that this is 1st among all of 12 Jyotirlinga Temples of Lord Shiva in India, where Lord Shiva is believed to have self manifested as Sizzling column of light. This temple is dedicated to Lord Someshwara or Lord Shiva, with moon on his head. Sparsha Linga of Somanath is considered as shining bright as the sun, is in the size of an egg, lodged underground. The Mahabharata also refers to the Prabhasa Kshethra as a legend of the moon worshipping Shiva.
Shri Kapardi Vinayaka
Shri Hanuman
Nataraja
The majestic Somanath Temple, “The Shrine Eternal” is the first of Jyotirlinga among the 12 Holy Jyotirlingas in India, is located at Prabhasa Patten near Veraval port in Saurashtra, Gujarat. It is “Shrine eternal” because it was destroyed six times in history however each time, was rebuilt to its original temple in glory.
This temple is divided into three main areas – the Garbhagriha, the Sabhamandap and the Nritya Mandapam. The Shikhara of this temple is at height of 150 feet. The Kalasham or Kalash which weighs 10 tons. The flag pole is at height of 8.2 MT long. This temple reflects unique skills of the Sompura Salats or Gujarat’s famed stone carving capabilities of these masons.
An inscription in Sanskrit found on the Banastambha also known as the “Arrow Pillar”, Abadhit Samudra Marg and Tirstambh which indicates that there is no land sight in a straight line between the seashore until Antarctica The history of Somanath Temple narrates that from time of construction of the first temple at Somanath is unknown. However it is estimated around 649 CE the Seuna kings of Valabhilya (Yadavas of Devagiri) built this second temple. They ruled parts of present-day Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.
Al-Junaid, then the Governor of Sindh destroyed this temple in around 725 CE during these invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The King Nagabhata II reconstructed this third time temple in 815 CE. In 1024, Mahammad of Ghazni again attacked this Somanath temple. Then, King Bhoja of Malwa and King Bhimdev I of Patan reconstructed this temple again.
Alauddin Khilji’s armed forces again destroyed this temple. Then King Mahipala who was the king of Saurashtra rebuilt it in 1308. Moreover, in 1375 and 1451 by Muzaffar Shah I of the Gujarat Sultanate and Mahmud Begada, then the Sultan of Gujarat respectively, made repeated assaults at the temple.
This temple also faced the army onslaught of Aurangzeb in 1665. In 1783 then rulers from Peshwas, Bhonsles and Queen Ahalyabai of Indore and Shrimant Patilbuwa Shinde of Gwalior together reconstructed this temple. The present temple is said to be built in the Chalukya style or the “Kailash Mahameru Prasad” style.
In 1842, Edward Law, 1st Earl of Ellenborough issued an Proclamation of the Gates, in which he ordered the British army in Afghanistan to return via Ghazni to restore /return back the stolen Sandal Wood gates to India from the tomb of Mahmud of Ghazni in Ghazni, Afghanistan. These were believed to have been removed by Mohamed Ghazni from Somanath. Under British -Lord Ellenborough's instruction, General William Nott looted these Sandal wood gates in September 1842. Whole sepoy regiment, then the 43rd Bengal Native Infantry, was detailed to carry these gates back to India in triumph. However, on arrival, they were found not to be of Gujarati or Indian design, and not out of Sandalwood, but of Deodar wood (native to Ghazni) and therefore not authentic to Somanath temple. They were placed in the arsenal store-room of the Agra Fort where they still lie to this present day. There was a debate in the House of Commons in London in 1843 on the question of these gates of the temple and Ellenborough’s role in this affair. After much crossfire between the British Government and the opposition, all of the facts as we know them were laid out.
In the 19th century novel The Moonstone by Willkie Collins, original diamond of this title is presumed to have been stolen from the temple at Somanath and, according to the historian Romila Thapar which reflects the interest aroused in Britain for the sandal wood gates as well.
Before independence, Prabhasa Patan was part of the princely state of Junagadh, whose ruler had acceded to Pakistan in 1947. After India refused to accept his decision, the state was made as part of India and Deputy Prime Minister Patel came to Junagadh on 12 November 1947 to direct the stabilization of the state by the Indian Army and at the same time ordered the reconstruction of the Somanath temple.
The ruins were pulled down in October 1950 and the mosque present at that site was shifted few kilometers away. In May 1951, Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, invited by K M Munshi, performed the installation ceremony for this temple. The President said in his address, "It is my view that the reconstruction of the Somanath Temple will be complete on that day when not only magnificent edifice will arise on this foundation, but the mansion of India's prosperity will be really that prosperity of which the ancient temple of Somanath was a symbol.". He added "The Somanath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction.
Architecture :
The present temple is built in the Chalukya style of temple architecture or "Kailash Mahameru Prasad" style and reflects the skill of the Sompura Salats, one of Gujarat's master masons. The temple's shikhara, or main spire, is 15 meters in height, and it has an 8.2-metre tall flag pole at the top.
The temple is situated at such a place that there is no land visible in straight line between Somanath seashore until Antarctica, such an inscription in Sanskrit is found on the Banastambha (Sanskrit: बाणस्तम्भ, lit. arrow pillar) erected on the sea-protection wall. The Banastambha mentions that it stands at this point on the Indian landmass which is the first point on land in the north to the South Pole at that particular longitude.
Prabhas Pattan :
Prabhas Pattan is this holy site of Sangam where the confluence of three great mythological rivers – the Saraswati, the Hiranya and the Kapila. It is also the site where Lord Krishna was resting under pepal tree when an arrow shot by tribal Jara struck his leg. Lord Krishnas commencedHe then his final journey in life from here.
Skanda Purana, in this chapter on Prabhasa Khanda, which describes emergence of this Jyotirlinga. Legend narrates that (Chandra) lord moon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. Amongst all his wives, he had special love towards Rohini and he neglected the others. Seeing this negligence of Chandra towards his other wives Prajapati Daksha cursed Chandra that he would lose his beauty and radiance. But because of this moon devoid of radiance and beauty the entire world became lifeless. The disturbed Chandra came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsha Linga of Somanath after which he was blessed by Shiva to grow and enhance his shine in the bright half. As the moon regained with his light here, this town came to be known as Prabhasa. Brahma, one of the trinity, installed the Brahmashila, and paved way for the construction of this temple. On the request of the Chandrama and other gods Bhagwan Shankar assumed the name Somchandra (Jyotirlinga) and resided there eternally.
Specialties :
The significance of Somnath Temple is that it is the Primary or the First Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas in Hindu mythology. Shiva appeared in a fiery column of light from this Linga. The Linga is Swayanbhu and millions of people in India and around the world worship it. Out of 12 Jyotirlingas in India, 5 of them are in and around Nasik area.
Syamantak Mani, the Philosopher’s stone associated with Lord Krishna is hidden inside Shiva Linga in the temple. This stone is supposed to be magical with the ability to produce gold. It is responsible for creating a magnetic field around itself which keeps the Linga floating above the ground.
The Linga consits of iron, and the roof of the sanctum is of loadstone. Builder of the shrine assured that the magnetic force exerted by the loadstone kept the Linga floating in the air. One can wash away your sins by taking a dip in the holy water of the Someshwar Kund.
Dress Code :
Mini Skirts and Disrespectful Dress are not permitted and visitors and devotees are advised to avoid it.
Somnath Temple
Somnath mandir road,
Prabhas Patan, Patan-Veraval Taluk,
Junagadh District, Gujarat.
Pincode : 362268
One can easily reach Somnath Temple by boarding regular buses or by hiring taxis from any place in Gujarat. Veraval 7 km, Mumbai 889 km, Ahmedabad 400 km, Bhavnagar 266 km, Junagarh 85 km, and Porbandar 122 km.
By Road :
State transport corporation buses and private coaches run regular services to other cities in this region. Somnath is well connected by good road network to the other nearby places like Veraval 7 km, Mumbai 889 km, Ahmedabad 400 km, Bhavnagar 266 km, Junagarh 85 km, and Porbandar 122 km.
By Rail :
Through Railways, the nearest railway station is 7 km away at Veraval, which is connected by train to Ahmedabad and other cities in Gujarat.
By Air :
Through Air, the nearest airport from Somnath is Keshod 55 km away which is linked to Mumbai. There are regular buses and taxis plying between Keshod and Somnath.
Available
CONTACT FOR GUESTHOUSE ROOM BOOKING :
Shree Somnath Trust
Somnath Prabhas Patan,
Gir Somnath Districy,
Gujarat.
Pincode : 362 268
Phone No :
Tanna Guest House : +91-2876-231212
Lilavati Guest House: +91-2876-233033
Maheshwari G.House:+91-2876-233130
Sagar Darshan G.H. : +91-2876-233533
Please Contact Central Booking office For General Enquiry on Guest House Room Booking
Mobile No : +91-94282 14914 (8 Am To 9 Pm)
Email : somgh11@gmail.com
Contact No : +91-2594-234251 (Guest House)
Available
Available
Available
| SL.No | Sevas / Poojas | Amount |
| Yearly (Once) | ||
| 1 | Homatmak Atirudra (Prior notice 31 Days in advance) |
21,00,000/- |
| 2 | Homatmak Maharudra (Prior notice 20 Days in advance) |
1,71,000/- |
| 3 | Homatmak Lagurudra (Prior notice 10 Days in advance) |
41,000/- |
| 4 | Savalaksha Samput Mahamrutunjay Jaap | 37,500/- |
| 5 | Savalaksha Mahamrutunjay Jaap | 25,000/- |
| 6 | Silk Dhvajarohan | 11,000/- |
| 7 | Maharudra (Path) | 11,000/- |
| 8 | Dashans home | 11,000/- |
| 9 | Kalsarpa yog Nivaran Vidhi | 5,100/- |
| 10 | Shivpuran Path | 5,100/- |
| 11 | Laghurudra | 1,500/- |
| 12 | Mahadugdh Abhishek | 1,500/- |
| 13 | Mahapooja | 2,100/- |
| 14 | Rajopachar Pooja | 2,100/- |
| 15 | Markandey Pooja (Birthday Pooja) | 1,100/- |
| 16 | Deepmala | 1,100/- |
| 17 | Rajbhog Thal | 1,100/- |
| 18 | Santan Gopal Mantra Pooja | 1,100/- |
| 19 | Bilva Pooja (101) | 250/- |
| 20 | Samput Chandipath | 250/- |
| 21 | Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(1000) | 300/- |
| 22 | Shodshopachar Pooja | 250/- |
| 23 | Mahamrityunjay Jap (1000) | 200/- |
| 24 | Gangajal Abhishek | 150/- |
| 25 | Rudrabhishek | 150/- |
| 26 | Navgraha Jap (1000) | 200/- |
| 27 | Brahmin Bhojan | 100/- |
| 28 | Panchopchar Pooja | 100/- |
| 29 | Aavartan | 100/- |
| 30 | Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(500) | 150/- |
| 31 | Mahamrityunjay Jap (500) | 100/- |
| 32 | Bilva Pooja (1008) | 1,500/- |
| Note : For rest of sevas prior notice 3 Days in advance | ||
| 5Yearly (5Times) | ||
| 1 | Laghurudra | 7,500/- |
| 2 | Mahadugdh Abhishek | 7,500/- |
| 3 | Mahapooja | 10,500/- |
| 4 | Rajopachar Pooja | 10,500/- |
| 5 | Markandey Pooja (Birthday Pooja) | 5,500/- |
| 6 | Deepmala | 5,500/- |
| 7 | Rajbhog Thal | 5,500/- |
| 8 | Santan Gopal Mantra Pooja | 5,500/- |
| 9 | Bilva Pooja (101) | 1,250/- |
| 10 | Samput Chandipath | 1,250/- |
| 11 | Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(1000) | 1,500/- |
| 12 | Shodshopachar Pooja | 1,250/- |
| 13 | Mahamrityunjay Jap (1000) | 1,000/- |
| 14 | Gangajal Abhishek | 750/- |
| 15 | Rudrabhishek | 750/- |
| 16 | Navgraha Jap (1000) | 1,000/- |
| 17 | Brahmin Bhojan | 500/- |
| 18 | Panchopchar Pooja | 500/- |
| 19 | Aavartan | 500/- |
| 20 | Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(500) | 750/- |
| 21 | Mahamrityunjay Jap (500) | 500/- |
| 22 | Bilva Pooja (1008) | 7,500/- |
| Note : For rest of sevas prior notice 3 Days in advance | ||
