The first of India’s twelve sacred jyotirlingas is said to have arisen at the elaborately carved honey-colored Somnath temple on the state’s western border. It is said that Shiva manifested there as a blazing column of light. The temples are situated where the Sarasvati, Hiran, and Kapila rivers converge, and the shoreline where they are built is touched by the ebb and flow of the Arabian Sea. Although the timeline of the ancient temple starts in 649 BC, it is thought to be older.
In 1951, the current shape was rebuilt. Though it’s difficult to see them through the foggy glass, vibrant dioramas depicting the Shiva narrative border the north side of the temple grounds. Every night at 7:45 p.m., Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone leads a one-hour music and light spectacle at the temple.
Somnath Temple History:
There are legends that the moon deity Somraj initially constructed a gold temple in Somnath, which was later rebuilt in stone by Bhimdev, in wood by Krishna, and in silver by Ravana. On the original coastal location, the calm, symmetrical structure that stands now was constructed in accordance with traditional patterns. It has a creamy color and some exquisite sculpture. One of the 12 most revered Shiva shrines, or jyotirlinga, is the enormous, black Shiva lingam at its center.
The famed Afghan looter Mahmud of Ghazni paid the temple a visit in 1024 after reading an extremely positive account of it in an Arab travelogue by the name of Al-Biruni. The temple was so prosperous at the time that it employed 500 dancers, 300 barbers, and 300 musicians. The town and temple were captured by Mahmud of Ghazni following a two-day fight that claimed the lives of 70,000 defenders. Mahmud destroyed the temple after depriving it of its incredible treasure.
This marked the start of a centuries-long process of devastation and reconstruction. The temple was destroyed three more times by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb: in 1297, 1394, and 1706. The temple wasn’t reconstructed until 1950 after that. For historical somnath temple photos visit official website or search on Google.
Best time to visit:
Although Somnath Temple Gujarat is open year-round, the milder months of October through February are the ideal times to visit. Here, people celebrate Kartik Purnima, which falls close to Diwali, and Shivratri, which falls in February or March, with considerable fervor.
Somnath Temple Timings:
The hours of Darshan are from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Morning Aarti timings are 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. Time of the Light and Sound Show: 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
How to Reach Somnath Temple:
By railway: The nearest railway station to somnath temple is Veraval, at about 6 km from Somnath. It is around 420 km from Ahmedabad Junction and 530 km from Vadodara.
By air: Diu Airport, located roughly 63 kilometers from Somnath mandir, is the closest airport in terms of distance. Regular cab services, as well as luxury and commuter bus services, are available from Diu to Somnath. The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad is the nearest international airport.
Best Tourist Attractions Places to Visit in Somnath
1. Somnath Temple
2. Triveni Sangam
3. Bhalka Tirth
4. Geeta Mandir
5. Panch Pandav Gufa
6. Junagadh Gate
7. Laxminarayan Temple
8. Somnath Beach
9. Prabhas Patan Museum
10. Kamnath Mahadev Temple
11. Badrinath Temple
Other than this there more than 20 places are famous in the Somnath. Most places are nearest to the Somnath temple. For more information about temples in India visit official site of liturgical temples.