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Lord Shiva Temples

Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Somnath Temple Jyotirlinga is situated at Somnath Patan (the south coast of Saurashtra), near Veraval in (Prabhas Kshetra) Kathaiwad district in Gujarat. Somnath is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and is a revered pilgrimage center in India.

Legend of Somnath Temple
Skanda Purana, in a chapter on Prabhasa Khanda, describes the emergence of this Jyotirlinga. Legend goes that the moon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. Amongst all his wives, he had special love towards Rohini and neglected the others. Seeing the negligence of Chandra towards his other wives Prajapati Daksha cursed Chandra that he would lose his beauty and radiance. But because of a moon devoid of radiance and beauty the entire world became lifeless. A disturbed Chandra, came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsa Linga of Somnath after which he was blessed by Shiva to grow and shine in the bright half. As the moon regained his light here, this town came to be known as Prabhasa. Brahma, one of the trinity, installed the Brahmashila, and paved way for the construction of the temple. On the request of the Chandrama and other gods Bhagwan Shankar assumed the name Somchandra (Jyotirlinga) and resided there eternally. He became famous by the name Somnath in the three worlds. Since, it was the Prabhas Kshetra where Bhagwan Shri Krishna performed all his Lilas. In this temple there is a small cave in which a lamp burns continuously.

The Skanda Purana describes the Sparsa Linga of Somnath as one bright as the sun, the size of an egg, lodged underground. The Mahabharata also refers to the Prabhasa Kshetra and the legend of the moon worshipping Shiva.

Adi-Jyotirlinga
           

   
Somanath Temple

  
Ransacking and Rebuilding of Somnath Jyotirlinga
Somnath Jyotirling has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times in the history:

  • Accounts of glory and wealth of Somnath by the Arab traveler Al Biruni prompted a visit by Mahmud of Ghazini who ransacked and destroyed the temple in 1025 CE. It was immediately rebuilt by King Bhima of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa.
  • Somnath temple was destroyed again by Alaf Khan, the general of Allauddin Khilji in 1300 CE. It was rebuilt again by King Mahipala of the Chudasama dynasty.
  • Somnath shrine was destroyed yet again in 1390, 1490, 1530 and finally in 1701 by Aurangazeb. It was rebuilt with perseverance each time after it was destroyed.

 

Attraction of Somanath

» OTHER SACRED PLACES OF SHREE PRABHAS TEERTH

The Gitamandir and Laxminarayan mandir are located in Dehotsarg campus. The divine massage of Bhagwan Shree Krishna in form of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is carved here on eighteen marble pillars. Laxminarayan Mandir houses divine shreevigraha of Bhagwan Laxminarayan.

» SHREE PARSHURAM TEMPLE

This is a sacred spot at the holy banks of Triveni where Bhagwan Parshuram conducted his long penance and he was relieved from the curse of Kshatriya killings by Bhagwan Somnath. Divine leela Parshuram is perpetnated here by a beautiful Parshuram Temple and two ancient kunds.

» 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.

» SHREE SHASHIBHUSHAN MAHADEV & BHIDBHANJAN GANAPATIJI

The holy temple of Shashibhushan is located at a distance of 4 km on the Somnath-Veraval highway with a beautiful sea-shore. The Jara poacher is said to have taken aim from this spot while hitting an arrow towards Bhagwan Shree Krishna. The ancient Somnath Poojacharya Shri Bhav Brihaspati is said to have built this temple. Bhagwan Shashibhushan with Bhidbhanjan (Saviour form of) Ganesh is worshipped here with traditional spiritual traditions.

» SHREE VENESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE

The Rajputa “Vaja”clan was in charge of Somnath during the Muslim desecrations. The devotional episode of the princess “Veni” is depicted in the novel by Shri K.M.Munshi. The temple was outside of the fort wall of Prabhaspatan at the time of holy war with Gazani.The soldiers of Gazani attempted an abduction of “Veni” who regularly visited the temple to offer her services to Shiva. The traditions maintain that the Shivling was sportaneously got divided and the princess got burried into it. The Shiv temple here is knows as “Veneshwar” temple after the fond memory of divine episode of Veni.

 

Pooja Vidhi at Somanath Temple

POOJAVIDHI
The following poojavidhis are performed at Somnath Temple. Kindly contact poojavidhi counter at the temple. General or specific donation or Ornament/Vastra bhet is also accepted. The Ladu prasadi, Gangalal, Prasadivastra and other pooja samagri are available at the counter.

 
 
       Type of Poojavidhi

 

       Yearly
       
(Once)
       Rs   

                  5Yearly
                 (5Times)
                   Rs    

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
 
Homatmak Atirudra
Homatmak Maharudra
Homatmak Lagurudra
Savalaksha Bilva Pooja
Maharudra (Path)
Silk Dhvajarohan
Dashans Hom
Kalsarpa yog Nivaran Vidhi
Shivpuran Path
Rajopachar Pooja
Mahadugdh Abhishek
Markandey Pooja (Birthday Pooja)
Santan Gopal Mantra Pooja
Laghurudra
Mahapooja
Deepmala
Rajbhog Thal
Samput Chandipath
Shodshopachar Pooja
Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(1000)
Bilva Pooja (101)
Mahamrityunjay Jap
Navgraha Jap
Rudrabhishek
Gangajal Abhishek
Brahmin Bhojan
Panchopchar Pooja
Aavartan
 
10,00,000
1,00,000
17,000
7,500
5,000
5,000
5,000
3,100
2,100
1,100
1,100
1,100
750
750
750
500
500
200
125
125
100
100
100
100
100
75
50
50
 
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-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,500
5,500
5,500
3,750
3,750
3,750
2,500
2,500
1,000
625
625
500
500
500
500
500
375
250
250

Note
Please Send DD/Cheque or MO in favour of Shree Somnath Trust, Prabhas Patan-362 268, Dist. Junagarh, Gujarat for the above Poojavidhi

 

» How to reach Somnath :

Amdavad is connected by Rail, Road and Air with all the major destinations. Veraval Somnath is connected with Amdavad to Rail and Road facilities. Somnath is at a distance of 465 km. from Amdavad. At present Jet Airwais operates passenger flight from Bombay to Diu every day accept Thursday. Somnath is connected with Diu by road (95 km).

» Guesthouse Facility :

Pilgrims can avail the guest house facilities of Shree Somnath Trust. Trust maintains a VIP Guesthouse, Eighteen other guest houses and an economical dormitory. The total number of rooms in the trust guest houses are in excess of Two hundred.

       

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