Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat
| Deity | Lord Somnath (Lord Shiva) |
| Location | Somnath, Gujarat |
| Significance | Jyotirlinga |
| Tours | Dwarka – Somnath Tour |
| Darshan Timings | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Poojas | Rudrabhisek, Laghurudra Abhishek |
| Best Time to Visit | March and October |
| Festivals | Shravan, Shivratri, Karthik Purnima |
| Jyotirlingas in Gujarat | Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga |
Somnath Jyotirlinga is considered one of the most sacred and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in India. It is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas and is located in the state of Gujarat. The temple has a rich history, with evidence of its existence dating back to the 8th century AD. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, with the present structure being reconstructed in the 1950s. The temple is located on the seashore and it is believed that the holy waters of the Arabian Sea purify the temple and the devotees who visit it.
The temple is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and the complex includes a Sabha Mandap, a Nritya Mandap, and a Bhairav Temple. The architecture of the temple is a mix of different styles, including the Chalukya, Solanki, and Maratha styles. It is a grand structure built of sandstone that showcases the skill and craftsmanship of the artisans who built it.
The temple is considered a highly auspicious place of worship and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. It is also an important cultural and historical site, and has been a center of pilgrimage for devotees from all over India. The temple celebrates several festivals throughout the year such as Maha Shivaratri, Makar Sankranti, and Navaratri. These festivals are celebrated with great fervor and devotion, and thousands of devotees visit the temple to participate in the celebrations. The temple also conducts various daily rituals and ceremonies such as the Abhishekam, Rudrabhishekam, and Aarti. These rituals are performed by the priests and are considered highly auspicious for devotees to witness.
Where is the Somnath Jyotirlinga located?
The Somnath Jyotirlinga is located in the town of Prabhas Patan in the district of Gir Somnath in Gujarat, India. It is situated on the western coast of India and is about 8 km from the city of Veraval. The temple is located on the seashore, and it is believed that the holy waters of the Arabian Sea purify the temple and the devotees who visit it. The temple is considered one of the most sacred and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple is easily accessible by road, rail and air, making it a popular pilgrimage site for devotees from all over India. Due to its historical and religious significance, the temple is also a major tourist attraction in Gujarat, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
History of Somnath Jyotirlinga
The history of Somnath Jyotirlinga is rich and storied, dating back to ancient times. According to Hindu mythology, the temple is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered the most sacred forms of Lord Shiva. The temple is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas and is considered one of the most ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The earliest evidence of the temple’s existence dates back to the 8th century AD, during the reign of the Solanki dynasty. The temple was built by King Bhimdev and is said to have been constructed using gold, silver, and precious stones. Over the centuries, the temple was plundered and destroyed by various invaders, including Mahmud of Ghazni, who is said to have taken away the temple’s wealth in the 11th century AD.
In the 14th century AD, the temple was rebuilt by the Gujarat Sultanate and later by the Marathas. However, it was again destroyed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century AD. In the 18th century AD, the temple was rebuilt by the Maratha ruler Sardar Patel and later by the British government.
In the 20th century AD, the temple was reconstructed again. The present structure of the temple was built in the 1950s, under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a leader of India’s freedom struggle. The temple is now a major pilgrimage site and tourist attraction, visited by thousands of devotees and tourists every year.
In summary, the history of Somnath Jyotirlinga is marked by its repeated destruction and reconstruction. Despite these setbacks, the temple has stood the test of time and continues to be an important religious and cultural site, revered by Hindus all over the world.
What is the story behind Somnath Jyotirlinga?
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. The Jyotirlinga is a representation of the god Shiva in the form of a lingam (a cylindrical stone) that is said to be made of light. According to Hindu mythology, the twelve Jyotirlinga temples are considered to be particularly powerful and sacred.
The story behind the Somnath Jyotirlinga is mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Shivpurana. It is said that the moon god, Chandra, had become arrogant and was cursed by his father-in-law, Daksha Prajapati, to lose his light and shine. Chandra sought the help of Lord Shiva to regain his light and shine, and in return, he promised to worship Lord Shiva by offering him a lingam of gold, silver, and then of sandalwood. Lord Shiva granted his wish and moon regained his light and shine and as promised Chandra worshipped Lord Shiva by offering him the lingam of gold, silver and then of sandalwood.
Another story says that the Somnath temple was originally built by the Moon God, Soma, in gold, silver, wood, and finally in stone. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times by various rulers, until it was finally rebuilt in the 20th century by the Indian Government.
Today, the temple continues to be a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and attracts thousands of visitors each year. The Somnath Jyotirlinga is considered to be one of the most powerful and sacred shrines of Lord Shiva, and it is believed that a visit to the temple can bring blessings and fulfill the desires of the devotees.
Interesting facts about Somnath Jyotirlinga
- The Somnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva, considered to be the most sacred shrines of the god in Hinduism.
- The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times over its history, with the most recent reconstruction taking place in the 20th century.
- The temple is located on the western coast of India, on the shore of the Arabian Sea.
- The temple’s main idol is of Lord Shiva, in the form of a lingam, which is made of a black stone and is said to be self-manifested.
- The temple is also known for its intricate carvings and sculptures, which depict scenes from Hindu mythology.
- The temple is surrounded by a large complex, which includes a number of smaller shrines, a temple tank, and a palace.
- The temple is also home to a large number of sacred cows, which are considered to be sacred in Hinduism.
- The temple is also a popular destination for tourists and history enthusiasts, and it is considered to be an architectural marvel.
- The temple is also considered as one of the seven most ancient religious places in the world, the other six being Varanasi, Ujjain, Dwarka, Kedarnath, Kashi and Rameshwaram.
- The temple is also a part of the famous Char Dham Yatra, a pilgrimage of four sacred Hindu temples in India.
What are the timings of Somnath Temple?
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple is open to visitors from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM on all days of the week.
The temple’s main puja (worship) schedule is as follows:
- 6:00 AM: The temple opens and visitors can enter the temple premises
- 6:30 AM: The first puja of the day, known as the Mangla Aarti, takes place
- 12:00 PM: The second puja of the day, known as the Rajbhog Aarti, takes place
- 7:00 PM: The third and final puja of the day, known as the Sandhya Aarti, takes place
- 9:00 PM: The temple closes for the day
Please note that the above schedule may vary during special occasions and festivals.
What are the poojas performed at Somnath Temple?
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus, and a variety of puja (worship) rituals are performed at the temple on a daily basis. The main puja schedule is as follows:
- Mangla Aarti: This is the first puja of the day and takes place at 6:30 AM. It involves the lighting of lamps and the offering of prayers to Lord Shiva.
- Rajbhog Aarti: This puja takes place at 12:00 PM and is the second puja of the day. It is a special offering of food to Lord Shiva, and it is believed to bring blessings and fulfill the desires of the devotees.
- Sandhya Aarti: This is the third and final puja of the day, and it takes place at 7:00 PM. It involves the lighting of lamps and the offering of prayers to Lord Shiva, and it is considered to be an auspicious time for worship.
- Rudrabhishek: This is a special puja which is performed on special occasions and Festivals. This Puja is performed to invoke Lord Shiva’s blessings and to receive his grace.
- Abhishek: This is a purification ceremony that involves pouring milk, honey, and other offerings over the lingam of Lord Shiva. This ceremony is considered to be particularly powerful and it is believed that it can remove obstacles and bring prosperity and good health to the devotees.
- Special poojas are also performed on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, the most auspicious day of Lord Shiva.
It is important to note that the above schedule may vary during special occasions and festivals, and the temple management may have different rules and regulations for performing pooja. Visitors should check with the temple management for the latest information.
What are the festivals celebrated at Somnath?
The Somnath Temple in Gujarat, India, is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus and is known for its elaborate and colorful festivals that are celebrated throughout the year. Some of the major festivals celebrated at the temple are:
- Maha Shivratri: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar. On this day, devotees fast and perform puja (worship) to Lord Shiva, and the temple is decorated with lights and flowers.
- Janmashtami: This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna and is celebrated with great enthusiasm at the temple. Devotees perform puja, sing devotional songs, and perform aarti (worship with lights) to Lord Krishna.
- Navaratri: This is a festival of nine nights, celebrated to worship the nine forms of the goddess Durga. It is celebrated with great devotion and the temple is decorated with lights, flowers and rangolis.
- Diwali: This festival of lights is celebrated with great fervor at the temple. Devotees light lamps and perform puja to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and the temple is decorated with lights and flowers.
- Makar Sankranti: This festival marks the beginning of the Hindu solar calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotees take a dip in the sea and perform puja to Lord Shiva.
- Rath Yatra: This festival is celebrated in honor of Lord Jagannath and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. A grand chariot of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra, is taken out in a grand procession through the streets of the temple town.
These are some of the major festivals celebrated at Somnath Temple, and many other smaller festivals and events are also celebrated throughout the year. Visitors should check with the temple management for the latest information and schedule of events.
How To Reach Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
The Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is located in the town of Somnath, in the Indian state of Gujarat. There are several ways to reach the temple, depending on your location and mode of transportation.
By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is the Keshod Airport, which is located about 55 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the temple.
By Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is the Veraval railway station, which is located about 2 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to reach the temple.
By Bus: The temple is well connected by road and there are regular bus services from major cities in Gujarat. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) operates buses from major cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Dwarka, and many more.
By Car: If you’re traveling by car, the temple is well connected by road and is easily accessible via the National Highway 8E.
It’s important to note that parking may be limited, so it’s recommended to use public transportation. Visitors should also check with the temple management for the latest information and schedule of events.
Other Jyotirlingas
Recent Post
Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram
The Significance of Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram Hinduism is a rich and diverse religion with a long history and numerous sacred...
Ujjain to Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Distance – Discovering the Divine
For devotees of Lord Shiva, a pilgrimage to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is considered to be a spiritual journey...
Hyderabad to Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Distance : Discovering the Sacred
For devotees of Lord Shiva, a pilgrimage to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas is considered to be a spiritual journey...
500+ Mahadev Photos – Bholenath Images
Who is Mahadev Mahadev is a popular name for Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. Lord Shiva...
FAQs About Somnath Jyotirlinga
Is the Somnath Temple open throughout the year?
Yes, the Somnath Temple is open all 365 days of the year.
What is the entry fee?
The entry to the Somnath Temple is free of cost.
Can anyone enter the temple?
Non-Hindus need to take prior permission from the General Manager’s Office. Hindus can enter the temple without any permits.
Is there any Online Darshan facility available?
Yes, please visit the website www.somnath.org for Online Darshan.
Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?
Wheelchair facilities for disabled and senior citizens are available at the gate of the temple. Lift facilities are also present inside the temple.
What is the weather like during summer?
The summers at Somnath start from March and continues until June. The summers here can be very hot. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 42 º C.
What are winters like in Gujarat?
In Somnath, winters start in November and continue until February. The temperatures during this time range from around 10 º C to 24 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.