Saurashtra - A land of great temples. by Joshi D (8 ebook reader .txt) 📕

                                                                 सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं……

Somnath is traditionally considered the first pilgrimage site: the Dwadash Jyotirlinga pilgrimage begins with the Somnath Temple. The temple, that was destroyed and re-built sixteen times, is held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, tradition, and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan (Somnath – Veraval) in  Somnath Distrct of Gujarat state.

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  shore  temple of Somnath is  believed  to  have  been  built  in  4  phases-in  gold  by  Lord Soma,  in  silver  by  Ravi,  in wood  by  lord  Krishna  and  in  stone  by  King Bhimadeva. 

It has withstood the six-repeated desecration by the Muslim invaders. The very existence of this temple is symbol of reconstructive spirit and cultural unity of our society.

The seventh existing temple is built in the Kailas Mahameru Prasad style. The Iron man of India Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel is the pioneer of the existing temple.

The temple is consisting of Garbhgruh, Sabhamandap and Nrityamandap with a 150 feet high Shikhar. The Kalash at the top of the Shikhar weighs 10 tons and the Dhwajdand is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference. 

Darshan Timing is from 6 AM to 9.30PM.

Aarti Timings : Morning = 7:00 Am, 12:00Noon, 7:00Pm.

Light And Sound Show Timing = 8  To 9. 

(Except in the Monsoon / Rainy Season).

 Entrance is Free Of Cost.

Abadhit Samudra Marg, Tirsthambh (Arrow) indicates the unobstructed sea route to the South Pole.

Somnath is Well Connected with Diu, Rajkot, Ahmedabad by 

Air / Train / Bus.

Nearest Airport :

DIU – 85 Kms. , 

Rajkot – 200 Kms, 

Ahmedabad – 390 Km.

Nearest Railway Station – Somnath – 0.5 Km, Veraval – 7 Km.

By Road :- Ahmedabad - Rajkot - Junagadh rout

                 Ahmedabad - Bhavnagar  rout

Accommodation :-

Shri Sagar Darshan Atithigruh

All Rooms with A/C., All Seafacing 24 Hours Attendance, Electricity & Water Supply ,Hot Water Conditional, R.O. Drinking Water. All the Rooms are equipped with multi channel Television with intercom facility, Room Service Available ,Big Parking Space & Lift Facility ,Dining Hall Facility Available.Dining Hall Timing :7-00 am to 10-00 am Breakfast, 11-00 am to 3-00 pm Lunch,7-00 pm to 11-00 pm Dinner. Located near to Shree Somnath Temple, Bus Station & Shopping Centers & at 1 km away from the Railway Station. Credit / Debit Card Acceptable 

Contact for Booking :  Shree Somnath Trust,  Somnath Prabhas Patan - 362 268 District : Somnath, Gujarat.  Mobile No:+91-94282 14914 ( 8 Am to 9 Pm)

BHALKA TEERTH

This sacred teerth is located 5 km on Prabhas Veraval highway.The arrow of the poacher named Jara at this spot hit Bhagvan Shree Krishna. Bhagvan Shree Krishna was resting in meditation pose under a pippal tree when the poacher misread the foot of Bhagvan Shree Krishna as a deer and hit from a distance.

SHREE GOLOKDHAM TIRTH

(SHREE KRISHNA NEEJDHAM PRASTHAN TIRTH / DEHOTSARG TIRTH)

Triveni Sangam Snanghat

Triveni Sangam Snanghat -  "The holy confluence of three rivers" namely: Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati along with their confluence with the ocean is a very sacred "Moksha Tirtha" for Hindus. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas are said to have visited Somnath and thaken a holy bath here. They are also said to have built 5 Shiva Temples here. This ghat finds mentions at many places in the Puranas and great epics ofRamayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that Lord Krishna paid a visit to this holy spot after he was hit by an arrow shot by Jara, a hunter after which he is said to have left the earth for the heavens, an act referred to in the puranas as Shri Krishn Neejdham Prasthan Leela(Sanskrit: श्री कृष्ण नीजधाम प्रस्थान लीला). This is a highly revered place in Somnath. The famous temples Gita Mandir and Lakshminarayan temple are located on the banks of Triveni Ghat.

  Sound and Light Shows

The sound and light show, "Jay Somnath", follows the temple's evening aarti and is held in English. It narrates the importance and history of the temple, including its desecration, resurrection, ransacking by Islamic invaders, and final reconstruction after India's independence. The way the temple is lit up is quite spectacular, and coupled with the rush of the ocean, the show gives it an ethereal feel.

Publication Date: 03-30-2015

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