Somnath
Location
Prabhas Patan, Veraval
State
Gujarat
Significance
First and most celebrated among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the temple of the Moon God on the Saurashtra coast of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan, Veraval. The name 'Somnath' means 'Lord of Soma (the Moon)'. Known as the 'Eternal Shrine', Somnath has been destroyed and rebuilt seventeen times through history — most famously plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE — and its resilience is revered as a symbol of Hindu faith. The present temple, in Chaulukya-style limestone, was rebuilt in 1951 under the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A shore-facing light-and-sound show narrates its 5,000-year history, and the Baan Stambha (Arrow Pillar) marks an unobstructed ocean line straight to the South Pole. Somnath forms one of Gujarat's three great pilgrimage circuits along with Ambaji and Dwarka.
Legend & History
According to the Shiva Purana, the Moon god Soma (Chandra) married all 27 daughters of Daksha (the nakshatras) but loved only Rohini, so Daksha cursed him to wane and lose his lustre. Soma performed intense penance to Shiva at Prabhas Kshetra; pleased, Shiva granted a partial reprieve — the Moon would wax for half the month and wane for the other half, giving us the lunar cycle. In gratitude Soma built the original temple in gold; tradition holds it was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, Krishna in wood, and King Bhimdev in stone. The temple stands at the shore where the holy rivers Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati meet the Arabian Sea, with no landmass between it and the South Pole — reinforcing its cosmic-axis significance.
Frequently Asked Questionsअक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
Where is Somnath located?
Somnath (सोमनाथ) is located at Prabhas Patan, Veraval, in Gujarat, India. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
सोमनाथ कहाँ स्थित है?
सोमनाथ Prabhas Patan, Veraval, गुजरात (भारत) में स्थित है। यह भगवान शिव के 12 ज्योतिर्लिंगों में से एक है।
Which deity is worshipped at Somnath?
The principal deity worshipped at Somnath is Lord Shiva.
सोमनाथ में किस देवता की पूजा होती है?
सोमनाथ में मुख्य रूप से भगवान शिव की पूजा होती है।
What is the significance of Somnath?
First and most celebrated among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the temple of the Moon God on the Saurashtra coast of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan, Veraval. The name 'Somnath' means 'Lord of Soma (the Moon)'. Known as the 'Eternal Shrine', Somnath has been destroyed and rebuilt seventeen times through history — most famously plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE — and its resilience is revered as a symbol of Hindu faith. The present temple, in Chaulukya-style limestone, was rebuilt in 1951 under the vision of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. A shore-facing light-and-sound show narrates its 5,000-year history, and the Baan Stambha (Arrow Pillar) marks an unobstructed ocean line straight to the South Pole. Somnath forms one of Gujarat's three great pilgrimage circuits along with Ambaji and Dwarka.
सोमनाथ का क्या महत्व है?
बारह ज्योतिर्लिंगों में प्रथम और सर्वाधिक प्रतिष्ठित, चन्द्रदेव का मंदिर — प्रभास पाटण, वेरावल में अरब सागर के सौराष्ट्र तट पर स्थित। 'सोमनाथ' का अर्थ है 'सोम (चंद्र) के स्वामी'। 'अमर मंदिर' के रूप में जाना जाने वाला सोमनाथ इतिहास में सत्रह बार नष्ट और पुनर्निर्मित हुआ है — सबसे प्रसिद्ध रूप से 1025 ई. में महमूद गजनी ने इसे लूटा था — और इसकी अडिगता हिंदू आस्था का प्रतीक मानी जाती है। वर्तमान मंदिर चालुक्य शैली के चूना-पत्थर से 1951 में सरदार वल्लभभाई पटेल की दृष्टि के तहत पुनर्निर्मित किया गया। तट की ओर मुख किए लाइट-एंड-साउंड शो इसके 5,000 वर्ष के इतिहास का वर्णन करता है, और बाण स्तंभ मंदिर तथा दक्षिण ध्रुव के बीच बिना किसी भूभाग की सीधी समुद्री रेखा दर्शाता है। सोमनाथ अंबाजी और द्वारका के साथ गुजरात के तीन प्रमुख तीर्थ परिपथों में से एक है।
