Somnath Temple | History, Timings and Address

Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is the first of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. It is located on the west coast of Gujarat and is one of the oldest temples in the country. Somnath Temple Darshan’s timings are from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Somnath Temple

It was mentioned in ancient scriptures like Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and Rig Veda, indicating the importance of this Temple as one of the most famous shrines. The Temple is located at the confluence of the ancient Triveni or the three rivers, Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati.

The Temple is a perpetual shrine due to its perseverance against the test of time. It has survived much destruction and still has not lost its beauty.

Emperors like Mahmud Ghazni, Allauddin Khilji, and Aurangzeb are said to have looted and destroyed the Temple seventeen times.

Shakti Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was behind restoring and reconstructing the present Temple in 1951, is still famous for the original Somnath Temple. It tempts millions of devotees throughout the year.

History of Temple

The literal meaning of ‘Soma’ is the moon. And ‘Somnath’ is the protector of the moon. According to legend, he married 27 of the daughters of the Daksha king. But he loved only one of them and was biased.

The girls were upset and took the matter to their father. An enraged Dakshuda curses Somu, according to which he will decline.

Then Somu built a Shivalinga at Prabhas Tirtha and prayed to Shiva for forgiveness and help. He removed the curse but only partially caused the periodic decline of the moon. Thus, the mandir is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the abode deity.

Architecture

Reconstructed in the architectural style of the Chalukyas, it showcases the fine skills of the ancient and best temple architects or Sompura Salats. An arrow point indicates that such a place is the first point of the earth to the north-south pole at a certain longitude.

There is also an unruly form of Nataraja or Lord Shiva dancing in the gaps of the Balcony Corridor. The flag on the Temple’s dome bears the symbols of Nandi and the trident. However, it is a Brahmin temple. The Jain influence on the carvings and the overall design is evident.

What is the structure of Somnath Temple? 

The Temple was divided into three main areas: the sanctum sanctorum, the auditorium, and the dance hall. The height of the Temple is 150 feet high.

The urn weighs 10 tons. The flagpole at the top is 8.2 meters long. The Temple reflects the skills of Sompura Salat, a famous stone artist of Gujarat.

An inscription in Sanskrit is also known as an “arrow pillar.” The Abadhit Sea Marg and the Tirsthamb indicate no land in a straight line between the coast of Antarctica.

Timings

Darshan Timing: 6 am to 10.00 pm.

Aarti Timings: Morning: 7:00 am, 12:00 noon, 7:00 pm.

Light And Sound Show Timing: 8 To 9. (Except in the Monsoon/Rainy Season).

Poojas

Many poojas had performed at the Somnath Temple. The following poojas were performed at the Temple:

Homatmak Athirudra: 

This Yajna is the most powerful and most sacred of all the Yajnas. Performing this Yajna removes your sins and brings peace and prosperity. Athirudra consists of eleven Maha Rudra recitations.

Homatmaka Maharudra: 

In this puja, 56 Vedic scholars recite Rudras in one place. The priest reads the Rig Veda, Samveda, Yajurveda, and Atharva Veda before the temple deities.

Homatmak Lingarudra:

This anointing was used to treat health and wealth problems. It also eliminates the side effects of the planets in the horoscope.

Savalaksha Samput Mahamrityunjaya Jap: 

Mahamrityunjaya anointing increases a person’s longevity and immortality.

Other pujas and anointings include Savalaksha Bilva Puja, Kalsarpa Yoga Prevention Rite, Shivapuran Margam, Mahadugdha Abhishekam, Gangajal Abhishekam, and Navagraha Jap.

Festivals

Shravan Masam: Shravan month falls in the fifth month of the Hindu calendar, beginning in late July and ending in the third week of August.

Mahashivaratri: The day on which Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati. It usually happens from late February to early March.

Golokdham Utsav:  This symbolizes the birth of Lord Krishna and is called Janmashtami.

Karthika Purnima Jatara:  The Jatara lasts for five days.

Somnath Sthapana Diwas: Foundation Day was celebrated on May 11.

Online Darshan booking

There is No online Darshan booking. And you must be in line. It would help if you visited the Temple in the morning and the evening as they both have different experiences.

But there is a room booking, and live Darshan and Prasadam bookings are available on their official website, www.somnath.org.

Where to stay nearby? 

Rooms managed by Somnath Temple Management are available at nominal prices. People can book those rooms by visiting their official website.

You can book accommodation at Sagar Darshan Guest House, Lilavati Guest House, and Maheshwari Guest House. There are also multiple private hotels near the Temple Complex.

Nearby famous temples to visit

There are many temples to visit near the picturesque city of Somnath. Some of the temples near the Somnath Temple are:

Bhalka Tirtha: 

It is located 5 km from the Prabhas – Veraval Highway. At this point, an arrow fired by the hunter Zara hits Lord Krishna, resting under a peepal tree. Lord Krishna walked and reached the banks of the river Hiran, where he started his last journey.

Sri Golokdham Tirtha or Sri Neejadham Prastham Tirtha:

It is located on the banks of the Hiran River, 1.5 km from the Temple. The footprints of Lord Krishna are engraved here to mark the Temple’s location. Balaram, the elder brother of Krishna, also began his last journey from here in the form of his original serpent.

Junagadh Gate: 

It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Gujarat. A long time ago, Muhammad of Ghazni entered through this gate, looted the famous Somnath Temple, and turned it into a ruin. Although it has worn off, this monument still attracts history lovers.

How to reach Somnath Temple?

By Air: 

Diu is the nearest airport, located at a distance of 85 km from the Temple.

By Train: 

The nearest railway station is Somnath (0.5 km). Regular train services are available from all the major cities in Gujarat.

By Road:

Major state roads connect Somnath to major cities like Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Dwarka, and Chorwad in Gujarat.

Address and Contact

Shree Somnath Trust

C12/A, Om Villa Flats, Nr. Telephone Exchange, Next to Om Tower, F.C.I. Godown Road, Shahibaug, AHMEDABAD-380004.GUJARAT, INDIA.

Phone and Fax No: +91-79-22686335

Phone No: +91-79-22686442,

Email: somnathshahibaug@gmail.com

Shri. Vijay Vasante

Mobile: +91-99982 37189

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