Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath is the first and foremost among the twelve Jyotirlingas — the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Located in Prabhas Patan, near the port of Veraval in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, the temple stands directly on the coastline of the Arabian Sea. It is often called the Shrine Eternal, a title earned through centuries of destruction and triumphant reconstruction.

The name Somnath translates as "Lord of the Moon" (Soma = Moon, Nath = Lord), reflecting its deep mythological roots in the story of Chandra, the Moon God. The site is also a Triveni Sangam — the sacred confluence of three rivers: Kapila, Hiranya (Hiran), and the mythological Saraswati — which independently made Prabhas Patan one of the holiest tirthas in ancient India long before the temple rose to prominence.

The Mythology of Chandra Dev
According to the Shiva Purana and other Puranic texts, Daksha Prajapati, one of the mind-born sons of Brahma, had 27 daughters who are the 27 Nakshatras (lunar constellations). All 27 were wed to the Moon God, Chandra. But Chandra was deeply partial to Rohini, his most beloved wife, and neglected the remaining 26. When Daksha's repeated pleas went unheard, he cursed Chandra to lose his radiance — and so the moon began to wane, plunging the world into growing darkness. Plants wilted, rivers dimmed, and the balance of creation was disturbed.

The other gods, alarmed, implored Daksha to soften the curse. He agreed that it could not be fully revoked — for a curse once spoken must take effect — but said that Chandra could seek relief by praying to Lord Shiva at Prabhas Tirth. Chandra descended to this spot on the Gujarat coast and performed rigorous penance, bathing daily in the Triveni Sangam and worshipping Shiva without rest. Moved by his intense devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and granted him partial restoration: the moon would wax for a fortnight and wane for a fortnight in perpetual cycles. This is, mythologically, the reason the moon has its monthly phases. Out of gratitude, Chandra installed a golden Jyotirlinga here, and this shrine became Somnath — the place where the Lord of the Moon received his grace.

Connection with Lord Krishna
Somnath holds a second, profound mythological layer. Near the temple lies Bhalka Tirth, the spot where Lord Krishna, after the great Mahabharata war, rested under a tree. A hunter named Jara, mistaking Krishna's foot for a deer, struck him with an arrow. It is believed that Krishna left his mortal body at this very place, marking the end of Dwapara Yuga and the beginning of Kali Yuga. Thus Somnath is not merely a Shaiva shrine — it is also one of the holiest spots in the Vaishnava tradition, carrying the weight of two cosmic epochs.

Mythological Construction Through the Ages
Ancient scriptures describe the temple's original construction in cosmic terms. The Puranas state that the temple was first built in gold by the Moon God (Somraj) in the Satya Yuga. In the Treta Yuga, Ravana — the great devotee of Shiva — rebuilt it in silver. In the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna constructed it in wood. And in the historical era, the Solanki/Chaulukya king Bhimdev I (11th century CE) raised it magnificently in stone.

The present temple is built in the Māru-Gurjara (Chaulukya/Chalukya) style of North Indian temple architecture. Its shikhara (spire) soars to 150 feet, crowned by a temple flag that is changed three times daily. The temple faces the Arabian Sea to the west — and in the direction it faces, there is no land between Somnath and Antarctica.

Somnath is located in Prabhas Patan, near Veraval in the Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat. Despite being relatively remote, it is well-connected by road, rail, and air — and the journey itself, especially the coastal approach, is part of the experience.

Somnath Temple is open all seven days of the year without a weekly holiday. The gates open early in the morning and close at night, accommodating both dawn pilgrims and evening visitors who come for the dramatic seaside aarti and light-and-sound show.

Somnath has a good range of accommodation for every budget — from the Shree Somnath Trust's own guest houses right by the temple, to mid-range hotels and budget dharamshalas. For pilgrims, the Trust properties are by far the most recommended: they are managed with care, located within walking distance of the temple, and offer a peaceful, spiritually appropriate environment.

The Shree Somnath Trust operates a VIP Guest House, 18 other guest houses, and an economical dormitory — over 200 rooms in total. These are the closest accommodation options to the temple and the most popular among pilgrims. Rooms are simple to comfortable, with AC and non-AC options. Cradle facilities are available for infants in all guest houses. Check-out time is 10:00 AM. Booking can be made up to 120 days in advance online at somnath.org.

Somnath is a living, actively worshipped temple of immense sanctity. These guidelines will help ensure a respectful, smooth, and fulfilling visit for all devotees and visitors.