Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple History, Timings and Route information

Somnath Temple History

This temple stands 1st in the row of 12 Jyotirlinga Temples. As per the Legend, Chandra ( Moon God) married 27 daughters for Daksha Prajapati. Among 27 wives, Chandra used to spend much of his time with Rohini. The other wives complained to their father about Chandra’s approach. Daksha requested Chandra to treat equally. Chandra denied his father-in-law’s requested and continued the same. Daksha who got angry cursed Chandra to suffer from Kshaya. Chandra did penance for Lord Siva, who freed him partially from the curse. Hence, the reason for the full moon and no moon days.

Lord Chandra installed Siva Linga and built the Golden Temple. Hence the name Somnatheswar.

As per the records, In the year 1025 AD, Ghazni invaded on this temple and looted the wealth equivalent to 18 crores. In the year 1297 AD, Alauddin Khilji and Sardar Altaf Khan destroyed the temple. In the year 1479 AD, Mohamad Begada, 1503 AD, Muzaffar shah II and 1701 AD, Aurangzeb demolished and looted the heavily wealth. In the year 1583 AD, an ardent devotee Ahalya Bhai Holkar rebuilt the temple.

Temple will be heavily crowded during Sivaratri days. The annual festival runs for 12 days during Maha Sivaratri. Temple was built on the banks of the Arabian Sea. The temple architecture resembles the Construction style of Chalukyas. Muslim invaders attacked this temple for 17 times.