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About Somnath Temple
Somnath is a magnificent temple situated in Sagar Kant of Saurashtra in Gujarat state. Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India. The temples lie at the meeting of Kapila, Hiran, and Sarasvati rivers, and the waves of the Arabian Sea ebb and flow touching the shore on which it is constructed. The present form was reconstructed in 1951.
All the temples in Somnath, especially the main temple and the Panch Pandava Gufa temple, have some historical and mythological stories associated with them. Like the Somnath temple has faced destruction by the foreign invaders like the Turks, the Portuguese, and the Mughals or that the Panchapandava Cave temple is believed to be having the powers of Shiva which were invoked by the Pandavas after days of prayers when they were in exile. The local people can tell you many such fascinating stories. So, do take time to engage with them and get as many stories out of them as possible.
Other spots in the temple are Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple in addition to Vallabhghat. Vallabhghat is a beautiful sunset point. The temple is illuminated every evening. Similarly, the Sound & Light Show “Jay Somnath” is also displayed every night from 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of the grand Somnath temple and the holy wave sounds of the Ocean.
History of Somnath Temple
Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with the release of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to the Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favored Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost the power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagavan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagavan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagavan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research based on ancient Indian classical texts shows that the first Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of the brighter half of Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Thus, this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time immemorial.
Timings Of Somnath Temple
All Days Somnath Mahadev temple Timings
Morning 7:30–11 am,
Afternoon 12:30–6:30pm,
Evening 7:30–10 pm
Somnath Temple Darshan Registration
Somnath Temple darshan Registration
Best time to visit At Somnath
The best time to visit Somnath is in the cooler months of October to February, though the site is open all through the year. Shivratri and Kartik Purnima are celebrated with great enthusiasm here.
How To Reach Somnath
By Road
The temple city lies 85 km from Junagadh, 280km from Bhavnagar, and 125 km from Porbandar
By Train
Somnath is the nearest railway station, is well connected to other major towns in Gujarat and India.
By Air
Porbandar Airport is 125 km and Rajkot airport is 200 km away.