The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of lord Shiva.

The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of lord Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Destroyed and reconstructed several times in the past, the present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951.

✨Lesser known facts about Somnath temple✨

(1) It is one of the twelve Jyortirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. The jyotirlingas are taken as the supreme, undivided reality out of which Shiva partly appears. It was rebuilt many time at the same site. The temple is open daily from 6 am to 9 pm, and nearby Bhalka is a place where Lord Krishna ended his Lila on earth and left for his heavenly abode.
the flag mast on the peak is 37 feet long and is changes 3 times a day. the construction of present temple started in 1950. It was inaugurated by first president of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

(2) The temple is considered sacred due to the various legends connected to it. Somnath means "Lord of the Soma", an epithet of Shiva. The Somnath temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal", following a book of K. M. Munshi by this title and his narration of the temple's destruction and reconstruction many times in history.

(3) The legend of Somnath temple is related to moon god and curse of his father in law Daksha prajapati. Moon god got married to 27 daughters of Daksha out of which he favoured Rohini and neglected the other queens. Daksha cursed Moon and moon lost power of light. With an advice from Brahma Deva, he worshiped Lord Shiva who returned his light.

(4) The temple is situated at a place that there is no land in straight line between temple seashore till Antarctica. On the walls of the temple, along with Shiva, Sculputures of Lord Brahma and Vishnu can also be seen.

(5) The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni sangam (the confluence of three rivers — Kapila, Hiran and the mythical Sarasvati). As per another interpretation, Soma, the Moon god, is believed to have lost his lustre due to a curse, and he bathed in the Sarasvati River at this site to regain it. The result is the waxing and waning of the moon, no doubt an allusion to the waxing and waning of the tides at this sea shore location. The name of the town Prabhas, meaning lustre, as well as the alternative names Someshvar and Somnath("The lord of the moon" or "the moon god") arise from this tradition.

(6) According to Another reference, there have been about 6 Brahmas. this is an era of 7th Brahma who is called Satanand. Lord Shiva also reveals in 7th Yuga, the name of the temple is Somnath and in the last yuga, shivlinga was called Mrityunjay.

(7) Daily thousands of devotees from across the country visit the temple, which is very heavily protected by police. The Somnath temple is off-limits for non-Hindus as authorities have decided against entry to people following other faiths without prior permission. Authorities cited security concerns and protection of ’sanctity’ of a religious place for the restriction, saying other religions do not allow non-followers to enter their sacred places.
"Shree Somnath Jyotirling is a pilgrimage for Hindus. Non-Hindus will have to obtain permission from General Manager’s Office (of the temple) to enter the sacred pilgrim-place,” says a notice put up by temple authorities at the main entrance gate.

(8) In 1782-83 AD, Maratha king Mahadaji Shinde, victoriously brought back three silver gates from Lahore after defeating Mahmud Shah Abdati, to Somnath. After refusal from priests of Gujarat and the then ruler Gaekwad to put them back on Somnath temple, these silver gates were placed in the temples of Ujjain. Today they can be seen in two temples of India, Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga and Gopal Mandir of Ujjain. ✨🕉✨

Jai Shri Somnathaya Namah ~ Blessed Day Beautiful Souls 💛🕉💛
Sarva Jana Sukhino Bhavantu 🌼✨🌼