Somnath- One of the Twelve Jyotirlingas.

 

Before we describe our tour incidents, let you know about the Somnath Jyotirling. It has an ancient history. It is known as one of the 12 Jyotirling as per Hindoo mythic. Jyotirling means the sacred shrines of Lord Shiva. It has a strategic location, at Veraval district of Gujrat State on the south west coast of India. It is an important Pilgrimage and tourist place. The temple is constructed some time in BC or even prior to that. A king Nag Bhatta has renovated in 815 AD was the third time of reconstruction.  Malwa Queen Ahilyabai Holkar also participated in constructing this temple.  It has good architectural fragments.

As schedule, we have vacated our rooms at Hotel and started our journey to Somnath via Porbandar. We had our lunch during journey at Dhabha on state highway for our Lunch, a mouth watering Gujarati Thali and reached Somnath at 4 o’clock in the evening. The hotel was already booked at Maheshwari Bhavan. This is managed by trust and really decent Dharamshala constructed on 10 acre land having 4 buildings and each building is of 3 story and each floor contain at least 50 rooms. Each room is well designed, good ventilation and 24 hour water supply. This premises is having a big hall for mess cum canteen and providing good food at reasonable rates.  At least 100 + people can take lunch at a  time.

Somnath Temple- Night View

As soon as we reached hotel, a cup of tea was served to our valued travelers and suggested them to  fresh n up,   for evening darshan of Lord Shiva. This is one of the Jyotirling situated on large area and well planned and result of best architecture. The temple is just 10 minutes walking distance from this Dharamshala and evening scenario is also good to observe. There is light and sound show in the evening at 7.

In line with the historical data, Mehmud of Gazani has attacked here for more than 17 times, looted lot of gold and jewelry and tried to establish his rule but could not successful. Since it is Jyotirling, the trust could earn equally gold and jewelry through it’s donors, well wishers and devotees. The security is also good from the place of entry up to the main temple. No Mobile, camera or any electronic gadgets are allowed in this Temple premises. There's well maintained locker for the same that too free of cost. Also they had special arrangements for physically disabled persons, wheel chair accessible paths. There is practice of que for darshan and after darshan you can have a walk around the temple. This temple is situated on shore of Arabian sea.  You should definitely visit this Holy shrine and get blessings of Lord Shiva.