Jyotirlinga is a devotional, auspicious and powerful representation of Lord Shiva. Jyoti means light and Lingam represents the beginingless and endless pillar symbolising the infinite nature of Lord Shiva. Among twelve Jyotirlingas Somnath is considered the first pilgrimage site. This temple is historically associated as in 11th Century AD Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni invaded and plundered Somnath Temple taking away all the wealth of the temple (1025 AD). Somnath Temple has been a center of attraction for thousands of years. As per the record of Gir Somnath District, Government of Gujarat Somnath Temple has been attacked multiple times since 7th Century AD but the temple has regained it’s former glory even after several brutal attacks. Hence “This temple of Somnath is a symbol of victory over construction on destruction”. Present Somnath Temple is looked after by Shri Somnath Trust.
How to reach:
After visiting Bhuj and it’s nearby places we went to Somnath by train.
There are three ways to reach Somnath:
By Air: Diu Airport is the nearest Airport to Somnath. After reaching Diu Airport there are cabs readily available to take you to Somnath (personal hiring or through online agencies like Ola/Uber). But if you reach Somnath through Diu Airport do visit Diu and it’s surroundings first and then take the cab to Somnath.
By Bus: Somnath is well connected with major cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Rajkot etc. by bus.
By Train: Nearest railway station to Somnath is Somnath Railway station. It is a very beautifully maintained railway station. On reaching Somnath station you can hire cab/tai/autorickshaw to reach the temple. Try to get in the train which takes you to Somnath early in the morning. The station comple is very clean. We reached Somnath 5.30am by Somnath Express and could watch Mangal Arati comfortably without any rush. Also early in the morning the temple is beautifully lit by rising sunlight.
Best time to visit:
Winter (November to February) is the best season to visit Somnath and nearby places when temperature ranges between 10 and 29 degree celcius. I visited in mid-February and it was little bit hot during daytime.
Top Places to see in Somnath
- Somnath Temple
- Lord Shiva temple established by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar
- Ban Gangeshwar
- Shashibhushan Temple
- Bhalka Teerth
- Triveni Sangam
- Somnath Temple
At around 6.40am we reached Somnath Temple to see early morning AARTI (at 7am) and overwhelmed with joy after seeing it with my own eyes. It is HUGE! This temple is so much narrated in history books and I wanted to see what’s there that one temple in India was attacked multiple times by various rulers and most notably in 1026 AD by invader Mahmud of Ghazni! Electronic items are not allowed to take inside the temple. You can purchase “Laddu Prasad” @ Rs.80/- for 4 laddus.
2. Lord Shiva temple (Sree Somnath Mahadev Mandir) established by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar
Opposite to the grand Somnath Temple, there is another Somnath Temple established by Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar during the rule of the Marathas in the Eighteenth Century when she found the ruined state of original Somnath Temple. It is said that Maharani Ahilyabai had dream of Lord Shiva in the same location where the temple was constructed by the queen post dream. Original Jyotirlinga is believed to be buried in this complex assuming that the original temple would be raided. Unlike the new grand Somnath Temple, any devotee can enter the “garbhagriha” and perform pooja with the help of the local priest.
Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar was intense devotee of Lord Shiva and built many Shiva temples in many parts of India. Apart from religious works, she worked for the welfare of widows including their rights to husband’s property and right to adoption, developed Indore from a small village to a prosperous and beautiful city, built forts and roads. During her tenure she promoted craftsmen, sculptors and artists.
3. Ban Gangeshwar
Ban Gangeshwar is a unique place in Somnath. There are two Shivlingas just nearby the Arabic Ocean. You can reach this place on low tide only. Every year during Shivratri devotees throng to this place. When I visited this place not a single tourist was there except me. An orange colored flag is there to locate this place from distance. This distance from Somnath to Ban Gangeshwar is barely 1 km. It’s amazing to see the seawater washing the Shivlingas everyday. Be careful to walk slowly as way to the Shivlingas are slippery.
4. Shashibhushan Temple
Shashibhushan Temple is located on the way from Somnath to Valka Teerth. Here Lord Ganesh in the form of Bhidbhanjan and Lord Mahadev in the form of Shashibhushan. Although this temple complex is quite old, very few people know about this place. When I visited this temple similar to Ban Gangeshwar there was no tourist. Five minutes walk inside the temple complex gave me a vibe of negligence. This complex definitely needs renovation.
5. Bhalka Teerth
Bhalka Teerth is a popular pilgrimate site in Somnath. This is the place where Lord Krishna is believed to be hurt by a hunter named Jara. When Lord Krishna finished all his earthly works he was thinking about leaving the world. He started playing his favorite flute in the forest. One poacher mistakenly hit Lord Krishna with his arrow thinking a deer (which actually was Lord Krishna’s bare foot) hiding in the bush. Jara asked for forgiveness. Lord Krishna said even the God has to pay for the mistakes. In the past life Lord Ram killed Bali when Bali and Sugriv were fighting. Lord Krishna’s leaving for the heavenly abode was decided by the destiny through Jara (Bali in previous life). Lord Krishna walked 4kms from this place to Sri Goloknath Dham and left for the heavenly abode.
Bhalka Teerth is also known as Mahaprabhuji’s Bethak where in the 9th Century AD Vallabhacharya gave discourses on Shrimad Bhagavad Geeta for 9 days. Here Lord Krishna is worshiped in semi-reclining position. One trunk of Peepal tree can be seen inside the temple. At the entry of Bhalka Teerth brief history about this place is given. The temple is made of sandstone. During my visit I saw local devotees singing in local language in front of the temple.
6. Triveni Sangam/ Triveni Ghat
Near to Somnath Temple you can visit Triveni Sangam or Ghat which is on the confluence of three rivers – Hiran, Kapila and a mythical river called Saraswati which are believed to be symbols of birth, life and death. On Triveni Ghat people perform rituals wishing peace of the spirits of their deceased parents. There is a Mythological story that Moon God – Som was once cursed by Daksha Raj for not loving all of 27 wives (daughters of Daksha Raj) equally lost his power and started waning. Then with the blessings of Lord Shiva he regained his lost strength and beauty. It is said that Moon God took bath in Saraswati River and prayed to Lord Shiva to regain his power.
There are many small temples in Somnath. Once you are in Somnath you can feel the holy feelings. Somnath is near to many other tourist destinations like Daman and Diu, Gir National Park etc. Due to heat waves or hot climate it’s better to visit this place in winter (November to February).
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