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 release 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 Bhagvan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagvan 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, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
The research based on ancient Indian classical texts 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 Gajananand Saraswatiji, Chairman of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedic 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 Moon God is said to have been relieved from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati by the blessings of Bhagvan Somnath. In the Shiva Purana and Nandi Upapurana, Shiva said, `I am always present everywhere but specially in 12 forms and places as the Jyotirlingas`. Somnath is one of these 12 holy places. This is the first among the twelve holy Shiva Jyotirlings.
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 13 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.
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 close by, which was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.
Somnath, literally meaning 'lord of the moon' is a pilgrim center and is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. It is a town which derives much of its identity from the mythology, religion, and legends that surround it.
Primarily a temple town, Somnath is a place where a strong scent of religion and legends lingers around tourism and even daily life. Its spiritual environment is ornamented by the huge number of temples in the area, however, Somnath also offers beaches, museums and other attractions. While the Somnath temple and Somnath beach are the primary places to visit here, Gita Mandir, Balukha Tirtha, Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Somnath Museum are some of the other places that one can visit.
More information about Somnath
All the temples in Somnath, especially the main Somnath temple and the Panch Pandava Gufa temple, have some historical and mythological stories associated with them. Like the Somnath temple has faced destruction by the foreign invaders like the Turks, the Portuguese and the Mughals or that the Panchapandava Cave temple is believed to be having the powers of Shiva which were invoked by the Pandavas after days of prayers when they were in exile. The local people can tell you many such fascinating stories. So, do take time to engage with them and get as many stories out of them as possible
Restaurants and Local Food in Somnath
Somnath does not have many restaurants or lavish fine dining experiences to offer. There are a few popular eating places around the temple, as well as some local joints and Dhabas. Dairy products likeLassi, Buttermilk, Chaas, ice creams are popular and easily available. You can also try Gujarati snacks in the area like Dhokla, Khakra, Fafda, Sev, Khandvi and Khaman as well as sweets like Ghevar, Malpua, Shrikhand, Puran Poli and more. Gujarat is a dry state, so you wouldn't find any alcohol here.
Reach Somnath by noon time, have lunch and take some rest. You can set out from your hotel around 4:00 PM and start visiting all the nearby temples starting with the Panch Pandava Gufa temple and ending it with the Somnath temple. After visiting the temple you can relax on the beach and watch the sunset.
What is the best time to visit Somnath?
September to March are the best months to visit Somnath, as the winters are quite cold. However, if you wish to avoid the crowd and tourists that flock to Somnath, you may be tempted to visit the place during the summer and monsoon season. Somnath is extremely hot and humid during these seasons and should most definitely be visited during the winter months when the heat is more bearable.
Weather in Somnath
Now 28°C
Upcoming Somnath Weather
Friday 28-30°C
Saturday 27-30°C
Sunday 27-30°C
Monthly Weather in Somnath
Month
Avg. Minimum (°C)
Avg. Maximum (°C)
January
15
29
February
18
32
March
21
34
April
25
36
May
27
37
June
29
36
July
27
31
August
26
29
September
26
32
October
23
33
November
19
33
December
18
32
Somnath in Winter (November - February)
Winters in Somnath are the ideal time to witness the town in all its magnificent beauty. The winter season in Somnath lasts from October to February and is the ideal as well as peak season to visit the pilgrimage spot. This is because during the winter months Somnath is a cold and pleasant with temperatures ranging from 10 degree Celsius to 24 degree Celsius. These temperatures are a great relief from the hot summers and the humid monsoons, making it the perfect time to sightsee and witness all that Somnath has to offer. The winter months, especially the month of February, is also the peak time to visit Somnath due to the festival of Maha Shivratri. This festival celebrates explicitly the triumphs of Lord Shiva who is one of the central gods in Somnath. Due to this reason, thousands of Hindu Devotees flock to Somnath during this festive month which is filled with prayers and celebrations occurring on every street and corner.
Somnath in Monsoon (July - September)
If summers in Somnath are sweltering and hot, monsoons are another matter entirely. The monsoon months of July to September in Somnath receive a heavy dose of rainfall. While this is a normal phenomenon for many places across the country, Somnath is a special exception because the monsoons in the place are almost vicious. The town is often faced with harsh winds that may even turn into cyclones during some particularly bad days. Humidity also runs high during the monsoon season which means that individuals visiting Somnath during this time are in for a particularly uncomfortable visit.
Gita Mandir on Triveni Ghat near Somnath Temple
Somnath in Summer (March - June)
Summers in Somnath last from March to June. The summers, as well as the monsoons in Somnath, are less than ideal and aside from the throngs of pilgrims who visit in droves throughout the year, the place is virtually empty. The temperatures during these months run high and range from 24 degree Celsius to 42 degree Celsius. These temperatures are synonymous to those of the summers in other parts of Gujarat and are indeed extremely hot. So unbearable are these months that they hinder sightseeing activities and make individuals not want to leave the comfort of their accommodations.
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