History of Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple: A Revered Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva
The Somnath Temple stands as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, revered manifestations of Lord Shiva. Nestled in the heart of Gujarat, this architectural marvel boasts a rich history dating back to ancient times. Some of the ancient texts tell that the temple was built for the first time in gold by king Somraj during Satya Yuga. In Treta Yuga, Ravana had built it out of silver while in Dwapara yuga lord Krishna had built it out of wood. Later King Bhimadev had built the temple out of stone.
It is said the Moon God was wedded to Daksha Prajapati’s 27 daughters. But out of his 27 wives he only favored Rohini while neglected the rest. Daksha Prajapati was exasperated by the neglect of his other daughters thus cursed the moon that he would soon lose his entire luster. The anxious moon then came down to Prabhas Patan to pray to Lord Shiva and get rid of the curse. Lord Shiva ultimately got impressed by his devotion and freed him of the curse. Out of gratitude Moon God set up a Jyotirlingam at this place which later became famous as the Somnath temple.
Tragically, in 1024 AD, Mahmud of Ghazni looted and desecrated the temple, stripping it of its opulence. Known by various names like Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, and Somnath Pattan, it has since been restored. In 1950, under the visionary leadership of Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel, the present structure emerged. Today, it is under the able management of Shree Somnath Trust.
The temple’s grandeur extends to its seven-story architecture, designed in the distinctive Chalukya style. Perched beside the sea, it offers a breathtaking backdrop, reminding visitors of its sacred and historical significance.
Somnath Temple Timing
Experience the spiritual journey with precise darshan, aarti, and the captivating light and sound show at the designated timings. Please note that during the monsoon season, the light and sound show may not be available.
| Activity | Timings |
|---|---|
| Darshan Timing | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Aarti Timings | Morning: 7:00 AM |
| Noon: 12:00 PM | |
| Evening: 7:00 PM | |
| Light And Sound Show Timing | 8:00 PM To 9:00 PM |
| (Except in the Monsoon Season) |
How to reach Somnath temple?
By Flight
Somnath itself does not have an airport. The nearest airport is the Aerodrome at Diu in the union territory of Daman and Diu. However, there is only one daily flight operated by Air India Regional. Alternatively, Porbandar airport is about 120 km away, and Rajkot Civil Airport is about 160 km away. Porbandar has flights from Mumbai and other cities. Rajkot is a larger airport with services from multiple airlines including Air India and Jet Airways.
By Bus
Buses are a convenient mode of travel to Somnath from nearby cities. Somnath is surrounded by small towns and cities that are well-connected by bus services, both non-AC and luxury AC buses. Air-conditioned buses from Diu to Somnath cost around 300 per person. Bus fares from other nearby places like Rajkot, Porbandar, and Ahmedabad are widely available and operated by private bus owners. Prices vary based on the distance traveled and the quality of the buses.
By Train
The closest train station to Somnath is the Veraval Railway Station. It is well-connected to major cities in the region such as Mumbai and Ahmedabad and has 14 pairs of trains to and from important cities daily. Veraval station is only 5 km from the city of Somnath and offers daily trains from all major cities.
Note: It’s advisable to check the current schedules and availability before planning your journey.
Sources:
- Air India Regional
- Diu Airport
- Rajkot Civil Airport
- Porbandar Airport
- Indian Railways
- Somnath Temple Official Website
Accommodation Near Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple Stay Options
When visiting the revered Somnath Temple, pilgrims can choose from a variety of accommodation options provided by Shree Somnath Trust. These facilities include:
- VIP Guest House
- Eighteen Other Guest Houses
- Economical Dormitory
In total, the trust offers more than two hundred rooms across these accommodations, ensuring ample lodging options for pilgrims. This allows devotees to experience the spiritual essence of Somnath Temple in comfort and convenience.
Note: This information is provided by Shree Somnath Trust to enhance the experience of the visiting pilgrims.
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