The Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat, is one of the most sacred and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is revered as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, symbolizing the eternal presence of Lord Shiva as the “Protector of the Moon.” The name Somnath means “Lord of Soma (the Moon),” and the temple is believed to be the very spot where the Moon God, Chandra, worshipped Lord Shiva to regain his radiance.
According to the Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana, Chandra was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati, but he favored only Rohini, neglecting the others. Angered by this, Daksha cursed Chandra to lose his light. Seeking redemption, Chandra performed severe penance and worshipped Lord Shiva at Prabhas Patan. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva restored his brilliance and assumed the name Somnath, promising to reside eternally at that place. Thus, the temple became one of the most important Jyotirlinga shrines and a center of worship for centuries.
Historically, the Somnath Temple has been a symbol of resilience and faith. It is believed to have been originally built in gold by the Moon God, in silver by Ravana, in wood by Lord Krishna, and finally in stone by King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty around the 11th century. The temple faced multiple invasions due to its immense wealth and grandeur.
It was first destroyed by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE, who looted its treasures and desecrated the shrine. Despite repeated destruction by invaders such as Alauddin Khilji’s generals, Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, and later Aurangzeb, the temple was rebuilt each time by devoted kings and followers. Its numerous reconstructions came to symbolize the indomitable spirit of Hindu faith.
The present structure of the Somnath Temple was rebuilt in 1951 under the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, and inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President. The current temple follows the Chalukya style of architecture, standing majestically on the western coast of India, facing the Arabian Sea. An inscription on its wall reads: “This is the first point of land in the east where the temple of Somnath stands, facing the never-setting Sun.”
Today, Shree Somnath Temple stands not only as a sacred shrine of Lord Shiva but also as a timeless monument of devotion, courage, and rebirth — a beacon of India’s enduring spiritual heritage.
Temple Timings:
• Morning: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM
(Aarti: 7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:00 PM)