Pilgrimage
History of Destruction & Rebuilding
Summary
- •Somnath Temple, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva, stands on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, India.
- •Its history is one of dramatic cycles of destruction and reconstruction spanning over a millennium, most famously sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 CE.
- •The current temple, rebuilt in Chalukya style, was completed in 1951 under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, symbolizing India's post-independence resurgence.
- •The site is also sacred as the Triveni Sangam and the place where Krishna departed his earthly body.
Overview
- •Somnath Temple is located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat, on the western coast of India, at the confluence of the Hiran, Kapila, and mythical Saraswati rivers meeting the Arabian Sea.
- •As the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, it holds supreme importance among Shiva devotees.
- •The temple's location is traditionally known as Prabhas Kshetra, and it is believed that Krishna was accidentally shot by a hunter's arrow here, with Bhalka Tirth marking the exact spot a few kilometers away.
- •The temple complex includes the Prabhas Patan Museum, which houses ruins and sculptures from earlier structures.
- •A notable geographic plaque states that there is no landmass between Somnath and Antarctica along that longitude.
- •The temple is a major pilgrimage and tourist destination, with a daily sound-and-light show narrating its storied past.
Tips
- Visit the Prabhas Patan Museum within the complex to see ruins and sculptures from earlier temple structures.
- Attend the evening sound-and-light show that narrates the temple's dramatic history against the illuminated facade.
- Take time to see the Triveni Sangam, where the rivers meet the Arabian Sea, and the nearby Bhalka Tirth, the spot where Krishna is believed to have departed.
- Plan your visit around sunrise or sunset for a quieter, more contemplative experience, and be mindful of temple dress codes and photography restrictions.
Explore More of Somnath
Destination Hub
Somnath OverviewSpiritual & Temple Guides
Places to Explore
Somnath Temple
Discover attraction
Triveni Sangam, SomnathDiscover attraction
Bhalka TirthDiscover attraction
Prabhas Patan MuseumDiscover attraction
Somnath BeachDiscover attraction
Panch Pandav GufaDiscover attraction
Somnath Old Fort WallsDiscover attraction
Veraval PortDiscover attraction
Gita MandirDiscover attraction