The Somnath Temple is the name of the very ancient and historical Sun Temple located in the region of Gujarat, located at the western end of India in the South Asia region. This is one of the selected and important temples of Indian history and Hindus. Even today it is considered and known as the first Jyotirlinga among the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. This temple, located in the Veraval port of Saurashtra region of Gujarat, is said to have been built by Chandradev himself, whose mention is clear in the Rigveda.
This temple has been a symbol of the history of the rise and fall of Hinduism. Due to being very luxurious, this temple was demolished and rebuilt many times in history. The reconstruction of the present building was started by Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after India’s independence and on 1st December 1995, the President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma dedicated it to the nation.
Somnath Temple is a world famous religious and tourist destination. An hour-long sound and light show is held in the temple premises from 7:30 to 8:30 pm, in which the history of Somnath temple is described in a very beautiful pictorial manner. According to folklore, Shri Krishna had sacrificed his body here. Due to this the importance of this area increased even more.
The work of arrangement and operation of Somnathji’s temple is under the Somnath Trust. The government has made arrangements for income by giving land, orchards to the trust. This pilgrimage is also famous for the rituals of ancestors, Narayan Bali etc.
The special importance of performing Shradh here in the month of Chaitra, Bhadrapada, Kartik has been told. There is a huge crowd of devotees here during these three months. Apart from this, there is a great confluence of three rivers Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati. This Triveni bath has special significance.