Somnath Temple – The Aadi Jyotirling

One of the most significant spiritual locations on the Hindu circuit is the Somnath Temple, which is devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple, which is thought to be the first of the nation’s twelve jyotirlingas (devotional shrines of Lord Shiva), receives a lot of visitors each year. The temple, which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, offers a breathtaking view of the Saurashtra peninsula. With its impressive 50-meter-tall shikhara (spire), the Somnath Temple features majestic Chalukyan architecture. Building majesty is enhanced with silver doors, fine carvings, a shivling, and a Nandi statue (bull god).
The main shrine, whose arches tower over the entire temple complex, and an equally vast mandapa (hall) are located in the temple’s enormous courtyard. Following the obeisance, the main shrine, whose arches tower over the entire temple complex, and an equally vast mandapa (hall) are located in the temple’s enormous courtyard. Devotees can enter through a side door after making their respects and discover an enchanting vision of sunlight tripping over the waves of the sea.

The Somnath Temple, which is roughly 94 miles from Junagadh, was supposedly constructed with gold at first by the moon deity. Later, Ravana destroyed it completely and rebuilt it using silver. Subsequently, Lord Krishna created it in wood, and Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, built a stone structure. This place hosts the Kartik Purnima fair in November, which draws a sizable pilgrimage.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best months to visit Somnath are September through March because the winters are very chilly. You could be tempted to visit Somnath in the summer and monsoon seasons, though, if you want to avoid the throng of visitors and crowds that descend on the location. It is best to visit Somnath in the winter when the heat is more tolerable because it is very hot and muggy throughout these times of year.

Somnath Timings or Schedule

Daily hours for the Somnath Jyotirlinga temple are 6:00 am to 9:00 pm. Early in the morning is the ideal time to visit the temple since the calm and tranquility of the surroundings will make you feel incredibly happy on a spiritual level. Take in the heavenly ceremonies, which are not to be missed. The Abhishekam is held from 7:00 am to 12:30 pm, while the Aarti ceremony is held from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

ATTRACTIONS

Somnath Beach: Even though they are busy, Somnath’s beaches have the ability to transport you to a tranquil world with gentle waves. Although swimming is not advised on the beaches, they are nevertheless excellent places to unwind and rest.

Paanch Pandav Gufa: The temple was devoted to the five Pandava Brothers and was found in 1949 by the late Baba Narayandas. The temple is situated in a way that allows visitors to see the entire city and be enthralled just by looking at it.

Lakshminarayan Temple: Situated on the shores of Somnath, Lord Laxminarayan, the dominant deity, is a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This temple, which features contemporary architectural style, is well-known for the sculptures on its eighteen pillars that represent the Bhagwadgita, a holy text written by Krishna.

Triveni Sangam Temple: The meeting place of the three rivers—the Saraswati, Kapila, and Hiran—is where the powerful Arabian Sea is formed. For Hindus, Triveni Sangam is considered to be a very revered Moksha Tirtha.

Suraj Mandir: One of the few temples devoted to the Sun God is Suraj Mandir, which is also located close to the Triveni Ghats. The shrine features images of lions, elephants, and other birds and animals.

Dehotsarg Teerth: For Hindus, Dehotsarg Teerth is a sacred site since it is the place where Lord Krishna breathed his final breath following his arrow wounding by Jara. The footprints of Lord Krishna indicate the place. It is also thought that Baldev, Krishna’s brother, accompanied him, slithering through the neighboring Balramjiki Gufa in the shape of a serpent.

Parshuram Temple: The temple is situated near the banks of the sacred Triveni River, which is where it is said that Lord Parshuram performed his penance. This temple, one of the few honoring Lord Parshuram, offers guests a beautiful setting and breathtaking vistas.

Where to Stay

Near the Somnath Jyotirlinga temple, there are a wide range of lodging choices that can accommodate any kind of traveler’s demands. On the grounds of the temple, the Shree Somnath Trust Guest House provides tidy, cozy accommodations with contemporary conveniences like TV, air conditioning, and attached bathrooms. In addition, Somnath town offers a number of additional hotels and lodges, ranging in price from low-cost to upscale lodging.

When the temple experiences a spike in devotees during popular pilgrimage seasons like Shravan (July-August) and Mahashivratri (February-March), visitors can also choose to stay in Dharamshalas or the free dorms offered by the Shree Somnath Trust.

HOW TO REACH

The major Gujarati cities have good rail and road connections to Somnath. There are buses from Ahmedabad and Dwarka that run overnight. Keshod is the closest airport, located 55 kilometers away. The closest train station is located 7 kilometers away in Veraval.

By Flight

About 85 kilometers away, in Diu, is the closest airport to Somnath. Rajkot Airport is located approximately 200 kilometers away from Porbandar Airport, which is located 135 kilometers away.

By Train

The train station that leads to Somnath is the Somnath Railway Station, which also serves the town of Veraval. It is Gujarat’s main railway station. The Somnath Railway station has trains to and from Ahmedabad, Jabalpur, Okha, Rajkot, and Porbandar. A practical means of traveling from Ahmedabad to Somnath is by train. Train travel from Surat to Somnath is also convenient.

By Road

Road connections between Somnath and other Gujarati cities and towns are excellent. On a road trip, one can see several of Gujarat’s significant locations in addition to Somnath. Taxis, private buses, and buses operated by Gujarat State Road Transport offer convenient transportation options throughout the state. Somnath and Dwarka are roughly 237 kilometers apart. There are buses from Dwarka, Ahmedabad, and Rajkot that go directly to Somnath.