Somnath Temple – Sacred Place in Gujrat

Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlings of India. It has a

strategic location on the western coast of India.

Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with release

of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon

was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favoured Rohini and

neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of

light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and

worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon,

Bhagvan 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, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple

with Sandalwood.

The research based on ancient Indian classical texts show that first Somnath

Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of brighter half of

Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Swami Shri

Gajananand Saraswatiji, Chairman of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedic

Shodh Sansthan, Varanasi suggested that the said first temple was built 7,99,25,105

years ago as derived from the traditions of Prabhas Khand of Skand Puran. Thus,

this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time

immemorial.

The later sources of history account for several desecrations by Muslims

invaders during eleventh to eighteen century A.D. The temple was rebuilt every time

with the reconstructive spirit of the people. The modern temple was reconstructed

with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on

November 13 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the

Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.

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 during 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the

pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of grand Somnath temple and the

holy wave sounds of the Ocean. Ahalyabai temple is also close by, which was built

by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the

Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.

Bhalka Teerth:

This sacred teerth is located 5 km on Prabhas Veraval highway. The arrow of the

poacher named Jara at this spot hit Bhagvan Shree Krishna. Bhagvan Shree Krishna

was resting in meditation pose under a pippal tree when the poacher misread the

foot of Bhagvan Shree Krishna as a deer and hit from a distance. Bhagvan generously

pardoned the poacher and blessed him. This divined leela of Bhagvan Shree Krishna

is immortalised by a beautiful temple and an ancient pippal tree. Bhagvan Shree

Krishna then walked a small distance and arrived at the holy banks of river Hiran

from where he took his last journey to his Neejdham. The spot is under development

with the assistance of the Central Government of India.

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