Shree Somnath Temple
Sri Somnath temple is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India and is believed to be the first among the 12 jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva.
Shree Somnath Temple Timings:
Darshan Timing: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM.
Aarti Timings: 7:00 AM, 12:00 Noon, 7:00 PM.
Light And Sound Show Timing: 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Except in the Monsoon / Rainy Season).
Shree Somnath Temple History:
Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with release of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favored Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagvan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research based on ancient Indian classical texts show that first Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of brighter half of Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Swami Shri Gajananand Saraswatiji, Chairman of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedic Shodh Sansthan, Varanasi suggested that the said first temple was built 7,99,25,105 years ago as derived from the traditions of Prabhas Khand of Skand Puran. Thus, this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time immemorial.
The Moon God is said to have been relieved from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati by the blessings of Bhagvan Somnath. In the Shiva Purana and Nandi Upapurana, Shiva said, `I am always present everywhere but specially in 12 forms and places as the Jyotirlingas`. Somnath is one of these 12 holy places. This is the first among the twelve holy Shiva Jyotirlings.
The later sources of history account for several desecrations by Muslims invaders during eleventh to eighteen century A.D. The temple was rebuilt every time with the reconstructive spirit of the people. The modern temple was reconstructed with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on November 13 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.
Other spots in the temple are Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple in addition to Vallabhghat. Vallabhghat is a beautiful sunset point. The temple is illuminated every evening. Similarly, the Sound & Light Show “Jay Somnath” is also displayed every night during 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of grand Somnath temple and the holy wave sounds of the Ocean.
Ahalyabai temple is also close by, which was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.
Shree Somnath Temple Dress Code:
Mini Skirts and Disrespectful Dress are not allowed and you are advised to avoid it. Traditional dress and any decent outfit will be allowed.
Shree Somnath Temple Festivals:
Shravan Month
Shivratri
Golokdham Utsav
Kartik Purnima Fair (5 Days).
Somnath Sthapana Divas
Pujas Performed in Shri Somnath Temple:
1) Homatmak Atirudra, Yearly Once
Prior notice 31 Days in advance
2) Homatmak Maharudra, Yearly Once
Prior notice 20 Days in advance
3) Homatmak Lagurudra, Yearly Once
Prior notice 10 Days in advance
4) Savalaksha Samput Mahamrutunjay Jaap, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
5) Savalaksha Mahamrutunjay Jaap, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
6) Silk Dhvajarohan, Yearly Once
Prior notice 0 Days in advance
7) Maharudra (Path), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
8) Dashans home, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
9) Kalsarpa yog Nivaran Vidhi, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
10) Shivpuran Path, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
11) Laghurudra, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
12) Mahadugdh Abhishek, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
13) Mahapooja, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
14) Rajopachar Pooja, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
15) Markandey Pooja (Birthday Pooja), Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
16) Deepmala, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
17) Rajbhog Thal, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
18) Santan Gopal Mantra Pooja, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
19) Bilva Pooja (101), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
20) Samput Chandipath, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
21) Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap(1000), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
22) Shodshopachar Pooja, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
23) Mahamrityunjay Jap (1000), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
24) Gangajal Abhishek, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
25) Rudrabhishek, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
26) Navgraha Jap (1000), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
27) Brahmin Bhojan, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
28) Panchopchar Pooja, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
29) Aavartan, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
30) Sam. Mahamrityunjay Jap (500), Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
31) Mahamrityunjay Jap (500), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
32) Bilva Pooja (1008), Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
33) Swarna Kalash (Small) , Yearly Once
Prior notice 1 Days in advance
34) Swarna Kalash (Medium) , Yearly Once
Prior notice 1 Days in advance
34) Sundar Kand Path, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
35) Hanuman Chalisa 108, Yearly Once, Yearly 5 Times
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
36) Shiv Parivar Pujan/pooja, Yearly Once
Prior notice 3 Days in advance
Shree Somnath Temple Nearest Places:
Shri Veneshwar Mahadev Temple
Shree Shashi bhushan Mahadev and Bhidbhanjan Ganapatiji
Triveni Sangam Snanghat
Shree Parshuram Temple
Note: Mobile, Camera & Electronics equipment’s are not allowed inside temple premises.
How to Reach Sri Somnath Temple:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is Keshod Airport is 63.9 km, Diu Airport is 79.9 km and Porbandar Airport is 151 km.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is at Veraval, which is just of 6 km from Somnath Temple. You can also catch a train from Ahmedabad to Veraval Junction.
By Road:
Ahmedabad is approximate 415 km from Somnath Temple is easily accessible by road.
Route 1: Ahmedabad – Surendranagar – Rajkot – Somnath Temple Route
Route 2: Ahmedabad – Rajkot – Junagadh – Somnath Temple
Sri Somnath Temple Address:
Somnath Mandir Road,
Veraval,
Gujarat – 362268.
