Somnath, Gujarat – One of the very ancient temples of India and stands as a famous landmark in the Indian history

Somnath Temple is one of the very ancient temples of India located in Gujarat and stands as a famous landmark in the Indian history. Somnath Temple is located about 79 kilometers from Junagadh in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval and the most legendary temples of the western coast of India. Somnath Temple is the ideal sacred place of the Hindus that survived the ravages of time. Study of history reveals that the Somnath Temple was invaded by the different conquerors who came to India whereby some looted its wealth and others destroyed some parts of it. Many legends are attached to the Somnath Temple regarding its origin and existence.

The other names of this famous Somnath Temple are Deo Pattan, Prabhas Pattan, or Somnath Pattan. In the past, the Somnath Temple was known as the treasure trove of wealth and goodies, that were looted away by Muslim rulers. The Somnath Temple is an ideal example of the ancient Indian temple architecture. The Somnath Temple is home to one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlingas’, which is considered to be the most sacred lingas in the Hindu pantheon.

It was believed that the Somnath Temple or Somnath Pattan was popular even in the ancient times. Revenues were collected from 10,000 villages to maintain the Somnath Temple. The temple was visited by the people from all parts of the country even in the ancient times.

The Somnath Temple is known as the eternal shrine whose glory and fame are legendary. It is believed that Somraj, the moon god, built the Somnath Temple or the Somnath Pattan out of gold. It was rebuilt by Ravana in silver. Again Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu built it in wood. Further in the 10th century it was rebuilt in stone by King Bhimdev Solanki.

Places to see at Somnath: The site serves as a base for a number of religious places. These include:

Somnath Temple 

The first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the god Shiva, the Somnath Temple is located in the western coast of Gujarat. The temple stands at the shore of the Arabian ocean on the western corner of Indian subcontinent in Gujarat State. This is one of the oldest hindu pilgrimage and finds its reference in the ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc. The  shore  temple of Somnath is  believed  to  have  been  built  in  4  phases-in  gold  by  Lord Soma,  in  silver  by  Ravi,  in wood  by  lord  Krishna  and  in  stone  by  King Bhimadeva. The temple has to withstand the six-repeated attacks by the Muslim invaders. The very existence of this temple is symbol of reconstructive spirit and cultural unity of our society.The seventh existing temple is built in the Kailas Mahameru Prasad style. The Iron man of India Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel is the pioneer of the existing temple. The temple consists of Garbhgruh, Sabhamandap and Nrityamandap with a 150 feet high Shikhar. The Kalash at the top of the Shikhar weighs 10 tons and the Dhwajdand is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference.

Rudresvara Temple

Rudreshvara Temple is a ruined temple located near the Somnath temple. This temple dates from the same time as the SomnathTemple and was laid out in a similar fashion. The sculptures on the walls and doorways give an indication of what the SomnathTemple was like.

Prabas Pata Museum

The Prabas Pata Museum is strikingly laid out in courtyard centered rooms and contains interesting remains of the previous temples, with lots of beautiful fragments, including an elaborate 11th century ceiling.

Bhalka Tirth

Bhalka Tirth is situated halfway between the Veraval and Somnath. At this place, the Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and wounded by an arrow. The legendary spot is at the confluence of the three rivers. This place is entered through the small Sangam (confluence gate), known as the Nana. North of this sacred spot is the Suraj Mandir or Sun Temple. This ancient temple was destroyed by the Mahmud of Ghazni. The temple, with a lane of lions with elephant trunks, probably dates from the same time as the Somnath temple.

Treeveni Sangam Snanghat

The holy confluence of three river Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and their sangam with ocean is very sacred moksha tirtha for Hindus. The bathing facilities are being renovated by Shree Somnath Trust with the assistance of State Government in the fond memory of Shree Morarjibhai Desai, the Ex-Prime Minister and Chairman of Shree Somnath Trust.

Nearby attractions from Somnath: From here you can make excursions to places like:

Shardapith Math

Located within the premises of the Dwarka Temple, Sharda Matha or Peetha (religious seat) is the first amongst the four cardinal mathas. It is also known as the Kalika Matha, and as per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, is in charge of the Sama Veda. The wall paintings illustrate incidents from the life of Shankaracharya, while carvings on the inner surface of the dome depict Shiva in various stances. It has the temples of Shardamba and Chandramaulishwer Mahadev nearby. The Matha also runs an educational society, an arts college and a Sanskrit Academy which prepares scholars for doctorates in Sanskrit and Indology.

Hinglaj mataji Mandir

Hinglaj mataji mandir is situated in Hinglajpura village. nearest Mehsana district,Gujarat. This Teerath is famous and old in human history. The devotees from all part of the world used to come for Hinglaj Mataji, even the Hindu’s Ram Avatar.Great Saint Guru Gorakh Nath,  Great Saint Guru Nanak Sahib, Dada Mekhan, Avtar of Laxman, and other great Saints, Rishes and Hindu scholars paid visits to Hinglaj Teerath Hinglajpura. People that experience possessions by the goddess Hinglaj maa are said to sprinkle vermilion (red powder) from their hands. That is believed to be the miracle of Maa Hinglaj. They say that she cures all diseases and relieves the distressed. Hinglaj Mataji, is not very well known of or herd about because of her temple being situated in Hinglajpura, mehsana, gujarat. she has helped many devotees overcome challenges and follow the path of righteousness. There are many myths of Hinglaj Mataji; however one seems most interesting to her personality. it is beautiful temple, nearest my village gambhu, also maguna, motap,   bodla, devinapura, laljinagar, deloli etc.

Lord Krishna charan Paduka

Shri Somnath is Harihar teerth. On one side there’s Shiv Jyotirlinga, and on the other side, just some distance away there’s a place from where Shri Krishna commenced his journey to Golokdham( a place of Shri Krishna’s disappearance, or a place from where Shri Krishna took departure). Shri Krishna’s disappearance took place on the bank of river Hiran in Somnath on Chitra Sud Ekam day in 3102 B.C. Shri Krishna’s Mandir and Charan Paduka(foot print) is even today present at this place. Shri Balramji also converted into Shesh Naag with Shri Krishna at this place only. There’s Dauji ni gufa(cave) and symbol of Shesh Naag present at this place. A day of Shri Krishn’a departer to Golok Dham journey will be marked on Chaitra Sud Ekam ( 4th March) this year.

Sun Temple

The Sun Temple, Modhera is located at Modhera in Gujarat. It is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun-God, Surya and situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built in 1026 AD by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty. In the present times, prayers are not offered in this temple. The Sun temple is of unique architectural style and comprises of three separate, axially aligned and integrated elements: Surya Kund, Sabha Mandap and Guda Mandap.

Things to do at Somnath: In this holy land you will enjoy a feeling of ecstasy as if you are nearer to God. Pay homage to the different temples here.

Best time to visit Somnath: The best time for visiting the place is from October to March.

How to go ?

By Air

Nearest airport to Somnath is Koshed (55 km) and Diu (90 km), but this airport is connected to Mumbai only. Taxi fare from Diu to Somnath is about Rs 2000. International travelers have to get connecting flights from Ahmedabad or Mumbai international airport, which is at a distance of 400 km and 887 km respectively from Somnath. Both Ahmedabad and Mumbai are well linked with all major cities in India and many cities in abroad.

By Train

Veraval in Konkan line is the nearest railhead, which is only just 5 km away and is connect to cities like Mumbai (Vrl Bct Pass Ex), Ahmedabad (Somnath Express) and Vadodra (Mum Rajdhani). Direct trains are not available from Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore. You have to Ahmedabad first and then board Somnath Express from there.

By Road

State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Somnath to various cities in Gujarat and outside.

Where to stay ?

 The accommodation facilities here are adequate. Some options are:

Hotel Shiv Sadan: +91-02876-245185,  6210000  Website: www.hotelinsomnath.blogspot.in
Hotel Shri Hari : +91-02876 – 232155  Website: www.hotelshreeharisomnath.com
Hotel Ambar, “The Comfort Hotel”: + 91-0 2876- 231358  Website: www.hotelambar.in

Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.