Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi
Jyotirlings of India. It has a strategic
location on the western coast of India.
Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship
of Somnath with releare 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 favoured
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 Bhagwan Shiva. Pleased
with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagwan
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, Bhagwan Shree Krishna is believed to have
built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research based on ancient Indian classical taxts
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 Gjananand Saraswatiji, Chairman
of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedik 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 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, the 13th 1947. The
Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple was done on
11th May 1951 by then President of
India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
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 closeby, which
was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker
during 1782. This temple maintained the Pooja Parampara
of Bhagwan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.
