Somnath Temple

Sthal-Parichay · The Place

Summary

The first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, located on the western coast of Gujarat at Prabhas Patan.

Mahatva · Significance

Why this place matters

Mentioned in the Rigveda and the Skanda Purana, Somnath is the foremost (Adi) of the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple stands on the western seacoast — the Bana Stambha pillar in the courtyard famously notes that from this spot, there is no land between the temple and the South Pole, an unbroken line of sea. Soma, the moon god, is said to have worshipped Bhagwan Shiva here to be freed of a curse, giving the linga its name. The site is one of the most contested in Indian history, having been attacked and rebuilt at least seven times across a thousand years.

Itihaas · History

A walk through time

Mentioned in the Rigveda and the Skanda Purana, Somnath has been destroyed and rebuilt many times across centuries. The most documented attacks include those by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024, Alauddin Khalji's army in 1299, and Aurangzeb in 1665. Each time the temple was rebuilt by Hindu rulers — the Solankis, Bhimadeva, the Marathas under Ahilyabai Holkar, and finally in 1951 after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led the post-Independence reconstruction. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, performed the Pran Pratishtha. The present temple is in the Chalukya style with a 50-metre shikhara crowned with a gold kalash.

Utsav · Festivals

Celebrations through the year

Yatra · How to Reach

Getting there