shaiva · Gujarat
Somnath Jyotirlinga Mandir
सोमनाथ ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग मन्दिर
Presiding deity: Bhagwan Somnath, the first and foremost of the twelve Jyotirlingas, established by Chandra Deva (Soma) himself; the swayambhu Shiva linga is in the garbhagriha facing east on the shores of the Arabian Sea
Established: Mythological antiquity; the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt seven times; the present grand temple in Chalukya style was reconstructed in 1951 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after India independence
Significance
The first and most sacred among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Bhagwan Shiva, established by Chandra Deva himself in penance; the very name Somnath means Lord of Soma (the Moon); the temple stands at one of the most strategic locations on the Indian Ocean facing the southern pole star with no land mass between Somnath and Antarctica — the famous Baan Stambh pillar inscription declares this fact; the temple has withstood 17 invasions and seven destructions including by Mahmud of Ghazni (1024), Alauddin Khilji, Aurangzeb and others, only to be rebuilt each time — a symbol of eternal Sanatana Dharma
Legend
Chandra Deva, married to the 27 nakshatras (daughters of Daksha), became excessively fond of Rohini alone, neglecting the other 26 wives; on Daksha curse the moon began to wane and lose all radiance; Brahma advised Chandra to perform tapas at Prabhas Patan on the western sea; Chandra installed a Shiva linga and performed severe penance for thousands of years; Shiva appeared, partially restored Chandra by establishing the waxing-waning cycle (shukla-krishna paksha), and remained eternally at Somnath as the first Jyotirlinga; the spot was renamed Soma-natha — the Lord of the Moon
How to reach
Somnath is on the southwest coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat; well connected by NH-8E from Veraval (7 km), Junagadh (85 km), Rajkot (185 km) and Ahmedabad (400 km); regular GSRTC buses and shared taxis from all major Gujarat cities
Where to stay
Sagar Darshan Atithigruh by Somnath Trust, Hotel Lords Inn, Hotel The Imperial Palace, Lilavati Hotel, numerous budget guest houses near the temple, and beach resorts at nearby Chorwad
Primary pujas performed here
- Jyotirlinga Darshan
- Rudrabhishek with Panchamrit
- Maha Mrityunjaya Homa
- Triambakeshwari Aarti
- Chandra Kund Snan
- Bhalka Tirtha Darshan
- Light and Sound Show
What to offer: Bel patra (mandatory), Ganga jal or sea water, cow milk, dhatura, white flowers especially madar, panchamrit, naivedya of khichdi or kheer, gangajal-bhasma; jaggery and channa as final daan to the Brahmins
Modern access
Rebuilt in 1951 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as the first major temple restored in independent India — symbol of national rejuvenation; the temple trust runs free Bhojanalaya for 5,000+ pilgrims daily; the magnificent Light and Sound show in Gujarati and Hindi narrates the temple history; the recently completed sea promenade and 80 ft tall statue of Sardar Patel attract heritage tourists; UNESCO recognition initiative ongoing
Nearby tirthas
- bhalka-tirtha-krishna-nirvana
- dwarka-dwarkadhish
- dakor-ranchhodrai
- nageshwar-jyotirlinga
- porbandar-sudama-mandir