🛕 Somnath Temple (Gujarat)

 🛕 Somnath Temple (Gujarat)

📍 Location

• Situated in Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat

• On the western coast of India, overlooking the Arabian Sea

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🙏 Deity

• Dedicated to Lord Shiva

• Houses the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Shiva

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🌟 Religious Importance

• Known as “The Shrine Eternal” because it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, yet continues to stand as a symbol of resilience

• Considered highly sacred — belief that a visit to Somnath grants freedom from the cycle of rebirth (Moksha)

• Mentioned in ancient texts like Rig Veda, Skanda Purana, and Shreemad Bhagavatam

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🏛️ Architecture

• Present temple built in Chalukya style of architecture in 1951

• Features intricate carvings, tall spire (Shikhara ~50m high), and large Sabha Mandap

• Temple is positioned so that no landmass is visible between Somnath and the South Pole (unique fact in Indian temples)

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📖 Mythology

• According to legend, the Moon God (Chandra) was cursed by Daksha to lose his luster.

• Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva at Somnath and was freed from the curse.

• Hence the temple is called Somnath (Lord of the Moon).

• The temple has been destroyed by invaders (Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, Aurangzeb, etc.) and rebuilt multiple times — most recently by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1951.

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🚩 Pilgrimage

• Open throughout the year

• Maha Shivratri → grand festival with lakhs of devotees

• Daily Aarti (morning, noon, evening) and Sound & Light Show narrating Somnath’s history attract visitors

• Part of the Saurashtra pilgrimage circuit along with Dwarka and Girnar