We left Sasan Gir, and drove towards Somnath temple. We reached Somnath around 4.45 pm. Without wasting any time, we parked our car and went to the temple.
Somnath Mahadev Temple:
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The principal temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in gold by the moon god Soma, in silver by the sun god Ravi, in wood by Krishna and in stone by the Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. The present temple, built in 1951, is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. Commanding a breathtaking view from the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, kissed by the waves of the Arabian coast, the temple has been constructed in the Chalukyan style with a shikhara nearly 50 mt tall. The temple’s imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central shivalinga. In the vast courtyard stand the massive mandapa (hall), as well as the main shrine, who’s gently curved pyramidal forms tower over the whole complex.
Temple: 09428214915; 09428214909; 02876-659093.
Rooms: 02876-231212, 233033, 233533, 09428214914 (8 am – 9 pm)
Darshan: 6 am – 9 pm; Sound & Light Show: 8 pm – 9 pm}
The Somnath Mahadev Jyotirling temple
A few points from my side. This is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Except the Mahakaleshwar & Omkareshwar jyotirlingas of Madhya Pradesh, I have seen all other 10 Jyotirlinga temples. And most of these temples have long queues. Also in South India, by default, if we go to any famous temple, we have to stand in long queues. This is holiday season. Surprisingly, in none of the temples in our entire Gujarat tour, we faced this queue problem.
Everywhere we were able to have the Darshan of the deity without waiting in the queue.
Due to terrorist threat, nothing is allowed inside this temple. There is a locker facility, where in we can keep all our valuables like Mobile, Camera, Bag etc.
The present temple is built in post-independence under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I should not be talking politics here;
but probably it is impossible to even think of building a temple by our so called ‘secular governments’; except for this Iron Man. Oh God, where are we headed in your own Land?
Archaeological Museum:
Another place not to be missed here is the museum. It is close by, and at a walkable distance from the temple. Unfortunately it was closed on account of Republic Day. Many people get time to visit these types of places during holidays only. So during holidays all these types of places must be kept open, like an essential service. When will our Governments learn this?
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Down the lane to the north of the temple is a museum with important archaeological remains from the former Somnath Temple. The museum is open from 8.30 am – 12.15 pm and 2. 30 pm – 6 pm. To some, the museum is even more interesting than the modern temple, for it preserves stone sculptures, inscriptions and pottery from several periods. Though lacking in proper documentation or guidebooks, the time spent here is supremely worth the journey, with the remains of the ancient shrine reconstructed by the Chalukyan Maharaja Shri Mularaja Deva Solanki of Anhilvada Patan}
Old Somnath Temple:
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Old Somnath Temple is an ancient temple enshrining the sacred Shivlinga, one of the 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas. Mythological evidences put the foundation of this temple by Soma, the Moon. This temple was constructed by the moon and dedicated to Shiva (Somnath) as the moon got reprieve from the curse of Daksha at this place. This temple was destroyed many times by Muslim invaders and the first was by Mahmud Gazni in 1026 AD and the last time by Mughal emperor Aurangaseb in 1706. The temple was later renovated in 1950. The temple has a high tower of about 50 m height over the main sanctum. The ruins of the ancient temples are seen nearby}
This old temple is near to the main gate of the new temple. The old temple is around 10 feet below the ground and is very close to the sea shore. Hence due to height and sewage issue, there is a bad smell in the temple premises.
We went back to the parking area and drove towards Triveni ghat, which is also close by.
Triveni Ghat:
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Triveni Ghat in Somanth is the confluence of three holy rivers namely Kapil, Hiran and a mystical River Saraswathy. It is believed that the rivers flow to the ultimate destination of Sea from here. This symbolizes the human birth, life and death. This is a sacred location for taking dip in the Triveni Sangam. It is believed that the holy bath in the waters at this Ghat offers relief from all curses and ills happened in the whole life. Triveni Ghat has a significant place in Hindu Mythology and Puranas. This ghat was mentioned in many places in Puranas and great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that Lord Krishna paid a visit to this holy spot after he was hit by an arrow shot by Jara, a hunter. This is a highly revered place in Somnath. The famous temples Gita Mandir and Lakshminarayan temple are located on the banks of Triveni Ghat}
Triveni Ghat
Actually we must first take a bath in the Triveni Ghat and then visit the temple. (We arrived late to Somnath, and we wanted to visit the Museum. So we came to the Ghat after visiting the temple). There are facilities to take a bath here, and generally the place and water is clean.
There are other interesting temples close by, at a walkable distance. As we did not had enough time at our disposal, we visited the following:
Suraj Mandir :
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Suraj Mandir, also popularly known as Sun Temple, in Somnath is also an ancient temple dating back to the origin of Somnath temple. This temple is situated at the north of the Triveni Ghat. The temple was set up to offer prayers to Sun God. The temple architecture is amazing with many images of elephants, lions and other birds and animals. This temple also was attacked many a times by Muslim foreign invaders. But later it was renovated to present structure. The temple is a rare specimen of worshiping to nature and is praise worthy symbols of Hindu cultural heritage}
Suraj Mandir
Panch Pandava Gufa:
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Panch Pandava Gufa is a temple situated near Lalghati in Somnath. This is a marvelous temple founded by the late Baba Narayandas in the year 1949. This temple is dedicated to five Pandava brothers. This temple, located at an elevated place, offers a beautiful view of surrounding holy city. Imposing idols of five Pandava brothers are enshrined. The idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Goddess Durga are also installed in this grand modern temple. The temple is built in a scenic environment and the ambiance offers a calm and cool spiritual atmosphere}
Pancha Pandava Gufa
These are the other temples we skipped:
Kamnath Mahadev Temple:
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The Kamnath Mahadev Temple, built about 200 years ago by a Mayurdhwaj King, is a renowned temple located in Somnath. This is a large temple complex with a holy pond known as Dudhiyu Talav, a water well known as Gangvo Kuvo and a bathing pool named as “Mahadev no Kund”. The legendary stories claim that the pond water has majestic healing powers and it is believed that Mayurdhwaj King recovered from leprosy after taking bath in this place. There was a saying in Gujarat, which means, “He who does not bath at the Kund is as good as dead or is a living dead”. This is a very famous religious attraction in Gujarat. Thousands of devotees throng to this temple when grandeur fair is conducted at the end of Shravan Maas every year; All the above temples' sources: Internet}
Gita Mandir
Lakshminarayan Temple
Bhalka Tirtha and Dehotsarg
Junagadh Gate
On to Junagadh:
It was nearing 6 pm and we had planned to halt at Junagadh. So after visiting all those places, we proceeded to Junagadh. The four laning work of this highway is under progress, and we took a considerable time to reach Junagadh. We straightaway went to BAPS Swami Narayan Mandir and had no difficulty in getting a room there.
Swami Narayan Mandir at Junagadh