Somnath Temple

Syllabus: GS1/History 

In News 

• The Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates two major historical milestones associated with the Somnath Temple.
  • completion of 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE.
  • 75 years since the temple’s post-independence reopening in May 1951.

Somnath

• Location: Prabhas Patan along the Saurashtra coast in Gujrat.
  • It  is among India’s most sacred pilgrimage centres.
• Origin : The origins of Somnath are deeply embedded in ancient Indian tradition.
  • The site is closely linked with Lord Shiva and the worship of Chandra, the Moon God.
• Characteristics: Somnath holds a sacred place as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
  • The temple complex includes the Garbhagriha, Sabha mandap and Nritya mandap.
  •  It rises in grandeur along the Arabian Sea shoreline.
  • The temple is crowned by a 150-foot Shikhar, topped with a 10-tonne Kalash. 
  • Rituals like Bilva Pooja attract over 13.77 lakh devotees yearly.
• Importance: It enshrines one of the most sacred Jyotirlingas mentioned in the Shiva Purana.
  • It is revered for the worship of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Shakti.
  • The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram places Somnath first among the twelve Jyotirlingas

• Attacks: The most turbulent phase of Somnath’s history began in the eleventh century.
  • In January 1026, Somnath faced its first recorded attack by invaders. 
  • This marked the beginning of a long period during which the temple was repeatedly destroyed between the eleventh and eighteenth centuries.
• Restoration: Despite repeated destruction, the temple was rebuilt several times by local rulers and devotees.
  • Kumarapala restored the temple in the 12th Century. 
  • The King of Junagarh again rebuilt it in the thirteenth century.
  • Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, the Maratha queen of Indore chose to consecrate a new temple at Somnath in the eighteenth century after yet another destruction.
• Post independence status: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins of Somnath in 1947 and resolved to rebuild the temple.
  • The present temple was constructed in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad architectural style.
    • The temple, which had been destroyed multiple times by Muslim invaders and the Portuguese, was rebuilt in the Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951. The reconstruction was overseen by Vallabhbhai Patel.
  • On 11 May 1951, the temple was ceremonially consecrated by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. 

Various initiatives

• Somnath Swabhiman Parv: It celebrates the enduring legacy and resilience of the Somnath Temple.
  • It marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the temple in 1026 and the 75th anniversary of its reopening on May 11, 1951, when it was dedicated to the nation by India’s first President, Rajendra Prasad.
• Cultural initiatives have deepened public engagement with Somnath’s heritage.
  • The Light and Sound Show began in 2003 and was upgraded in 2017.
    •  It uses narration and 3D laser technology today.
  • Programs like Vande Somnath Kala Mahotsav have revived 1,500-year-old dance traditions. 
• Declared a “Swachh Iconic Place” in 2018, Somnath has adopted innovative sustainability practices.

Source: PIB