Somnath Temple in Gujarat – Somnath is an important pilgrimage place for Shiva worshippers or Hindus, as it is thought to be the major jyotirlinga shrine on the planet. The Shiva temple, located on the western coast of bustling Gujarat, is a seraphic beauty that provides eternal peace to its visitors. A temple that has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times; erected in such a spot that there is no land surface in a straight line between the shores of Somnath and Antarctica. Isn’t this fascinating? Such facts make me believe that science and spirituality may coexist.
SOMNATH INTRODUCTION
Somnath, which literally means “Lord of the Moon” – “The Shiva” – is one of India’s most pristine sacred sites. With its intriguing architectural style and magnificent embellishments, the temple immediately takes your breath away. The massive temple is built on a great scale and attracts millions of tourists each year. The temple not only emphasises its spiritual value, but it also offers some interesting facts that simply grab the attention of its visitors.
CONCLUSION
WELL ORGANISED & CLEAN TEMPLE
Probably one of the few temples in India that has been so carefully managed by its trust and staff that it draws visitors back again and again. Such a clean and tidy tourism destination is rare these days, making it so worthwhile to come.
The temple truly stands out among holy locations, as it provides most of the necessary amenities such as clean restrooms and clean drinking water. Furthermore, they maintain distinct lines for ladies and gentlemen, making it easier for female guests to travel during peak hours. A lovely garden in which to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet is an added pleasure available inside the temple. The temple features a separate counter where Prasad and Ganga Jal can be purchased, as well as a modest office where donations for the betterment of the Mahadev temple are accepted.
FOUNDATION OF THE FIRST JYOTIRLINGA
Somnath town, one of the most renowned Hindu shrines, is said to have witnessed the formation of our country’s first naturally formed jyotirlinga. Kedarnath, Bhimashankar, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Trimbakeshwar, Rameshwaram, Shrisailam, Vishwnath, Vaidynath, Nageshwara, and Grishneswar are the other 11 very auspicious jyotirlingas located throughout India.
The shrine is a haven for Shiva worshippers who want absolute devotion and tranquillity. The supreme god is worshipped here in the form of a lingam and has an interesting backstory.
THE ORIGIN OF THE TEMPLE – A CELESTIAL STORY
The temple is believed to have been built by Lord Moon, the Lord of Romance. He was married to 27 of Daksh Prajapati’s daughters, but he was more drawn to and profoundly in love with the youngest, Rohini. The other queens felt abandoned in the lack of the love and care they deserved from their husband and sought advice from their father. When no behavioural change was observed after multiple therapy sessions and conversations, Daksh got concerned and upset. Moon was apparently cursed by his father-in-law for losing all of his brightness and shine. Moon was determined to worship Lord Shiva after losing his charm and took a holy bath in the pious Saraswathi river. Because of his ultimate devotion, Shiva rewarded him and partially relieved him from the curse, which is why the many phases of the moon may be observed after the lunar eclipse. In exchange, Moon constructed a magnificent Shiva temple made entirely of gold.
UNIQUE LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW
The temple’s light and music performance, which takes us through the history of the great Somnath temple, is one of a kind. The show features the voices of iconic Bollywood actors Amitabh Bacchan and Paresh Rawal, and it is available in 3D.
For its visitors, the temple includes a large amphitheatre that provides an appealing experience of sitting right in the centre of the temple and experiencing the cool breeze from the beach. The show, which has a background sound of natural waves, hits the spectators straight in the heart. After the evening aarti, tickets can be purchased within the temple, and the concert begins at 8 p.m.
BEAUTIFUL SEASHORE OF SOMNATH BEACH
The temple is built close to a beautiful beach named after the temple and generally known as Somnath beach. The walkways leading to the beach from the temple are blocked by massive rocks, yet seeing the sunset in such a magical setting is incredibly breath taking.
Binocular views are also accessible within the temple grounds, allowing you to observe a few miniature Shiva lings emerging from the water.
HISTORY OF THE SOMNATH TEMPLE
This temple, which was originally built by the affluent, has an intriguing history that demands to be heard. Because of the temple’s richness, it was robbed and destroyed multiple times by Muslim leaders such as Alauddin Khalji, Aurangzeb, and Zafar Khan (to name a few). It was considered one of the wealthiest temples, but it was also destroyed by the Portuguese in 1546. The Somnath temple was rebuilt after each time it was destroyed, and it was finally built in 1950 on the initiative of India’s iron man, Sardar Vallabhai Patel.
If believed to the story of the local tales, the Somnath temple was originally built-in gold by God Moon, then in silver by Lankapati Ravana and then in wood by Lord Krishna. The stone built took place many years later by Bhimdev.
MESMERISING FESTIVALS
Although the Somnath temple is always attractive and serene to visit, the beautiful festivals such as Mahashivratri, Navratri, and Kartik Purnima elevate the temple’s magnificence to a new level. Countless worshippers dance in utter craziness and devotion and enjoy the four-day fair that takes place during Kartik Purnima.
PLACES TO VISIT IN SOMNATH
Aside from the holy Somnath Mandir, other attractions include Bhalka Tirth, Panch Pandav Gufa, Gita Mandir, Lakshminarayan Mandir, and Somnath Museum.
Diu – To experience the flavours of Goa and Portugal, visit the magnificent island of Diu, which boasts a collection of exotic beaches, naturally created caverns, unique shell museums, and majestic cathedrals to delight its visitors. A two-hour trip to this eccentric beauty provides breathtaking coastal vistas.
Gir National Park – Nature lovers should also plan a trip to Gir National Park, which is recognised as the home of Asiatic Lions. The only natural habitat in India where the King of the Jungles can be seen walking freely on the ground. The drive between the national park and Somnath is about 50 kilometres and takes about an hour.
Dwarka – Known as the “Gateway to Moksh,” Dwarka is a prominent Hindu shrine and is one of the chaar dhaam. The lovely town is thought to have been founded by Lord Krishna to establish his enthralling empire, but it was completely buried following his death. The temple not only attracts Krishna devotees, but it is also popular with other tourists due to its stunning architectural design. The Dwarkadeesh temple is a true representation of divine beauty, and the well-organized arrangements utterly blow your mind.
The fastest way to get to Dwarka from Somnath is by car, which takes about 4 – 5 hours and covers a distance of 230 kilometres. Alternatively, a straight rail ride would take approximately 8 – 9 hours.
ALTERNATE WAYS TO REACH
Train Journey – The nearest railway station is in Somnath, making it quite convenient for people who want to go by train. It is only 7 kilometres away.
Flight Journey – The nearest airport is the Diu airport, which is located on the beautiful Diu Island and is approximately 63 kilometres from Somnath. It takes about two hours to go to the designated place. Alternatively, one might take a car trip from Ahmedabad airport (423 kilometres), which would take approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, or from Porbandar airport, which is 114 miles away.
Road Journey – We chose to drive on the excellent highways of Gujarat and arrived in Somnath in just 6 hours because we live near to Ahmedabad. The roads were honestly very comfortable to travel with my 1-year-old girl and could find plenty of places to take a quick halt for refreshments and lunch
BEST TIME TO VISIT AND TEMPLE TIMINGS
Gujarat already constitutes a hot state, with scorching summers. So, we propose travelling between September and February.
The temple is open for guests from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those who like to participate in the darshan aarti can go to the Somnath temple for the morning Aarti, which is held at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m., and the evening Aarti, which is held at 7 p.m.
ACCOMMODATION
The guest rooms maintained by the Somnath Mahadev temple trust, which has about 200 rooms for this purpose, are available to guests. The rooms range from VIP suites to budget dormitories.
With thousands of visitors visiting this spiritual town on a daily basis, the city has a choice of hotels and guestrooms both near the temple and within the city.
Also Read:Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple: Center of All Jyotirlingas
DO’S AND DONT’S
Please dress appropriately – The temple authorities are quite rigorous about what people wear before entering the temple. They severely prohibit any form of unsuitable apparel. Shorts worn by teenagers or men are not permitted under any circumstances.
Separate counters for belongings – You are only permitted to bring your wallets or small handbags, and any additional digital equipment, care keys, baggage, or handbags are absolutely prohibited. One could leave their stuff at their hotel, automobile, or at one of the counters located outside the shrine.
Photography is strictly restricted – As with other popular and religious places in India, photography is not permitted within the temple. As a result, one must leave their cameras or phones at the counters outside the shrine or inside their hotel room or automobile.
However, I would strongly advise you to bring your cameras or phones till the deposit counters because you can take pictures of the beautiful sunset at the seaside next to the temple as well as the temple’s exterior. Outside the mandir, one can also find local photographers who will take your photos for a fee.
The parking area is a long way – The parking lot is around 10 – 15 minutes away from the temple, therefore wearing comfortable shoes will make your travel much easier. If travelling with elderly individuals, specific approval from the Somnath trust officials may be required.
Separate shoe counters – Shoes can be stored on separate counters located within the temple grounds.
Puja Samagri – While dhoop batti and coconut are not permitted in the temple, fresh flowers and bel leaves can be purchased from local merchants outside the temple.
Eating Places – Fresh seasonal fruits and coconut water to satisfy your thirst after your mandir are a terrific idea and can be easily obtained from the local hawkers stationed just outside the temple. There is also a little shop near the beach that sells aerated drinks and a few snacks.
Shopping – Gujarat is well-known for its Patola sarees, which may be seen in the market outside the temple. The market also has many sea shell collections, shell jewellery, and Mahadev’s damru and shivlings.
SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
With so much peace and tranquillity around it, Somnath Mahadev temple is a must-see destination in Gujarat. The temple is a stunning masterpiece that cannot be described in words, and it is one of the cleanest and well-organized temples in the county.
The temple’s remarkable 3D impacted light and sound performance deserves praise for displaying the entire history of this holistic location.
