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Somnath temple Gujarat
Somnath Temple in gujarat is a famous Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva, located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India. It’s one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sanctuaries of Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most sacred places of deification for Hindus.
The Temple has a long and fascinating history dating back to ancient times. According to Hindu tradition, the original tabernacle was erected by Lord Soma( Moon God) himself in gold. latterly, it was rebuilt by Lord Rama, the king of Ayodhya, during his 14- time exile. The current tabernacle was erected by King Vikramaditya of the Chalukya dynasty in the 11th century CE, after the former Temple was destroyed by foreign raiders.
The temple has experienced several emendations and restorations over the centuries due to colorful irruptions and natural disasters. The current structure was erected in the Chalukya style of armature, with a towering shikhara( becket) rising up to a height of 155 bases.
The main deity of the tabernacle is a lingam( emblematic representation of Lord Shiva) known as Somnath. The lingam is said to be one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, which are believed to be tone- manifested and largely deified by Hindus.
The temple complex also houses several other sanctuaries devoted to colorful gods and goddesses similar as Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Parvati. The tabernacle also has a large hall for religious gatherings and a gallery showcasing the history and vestiges related to the tabernacle.
The Somnath Temple isn’t just a place of religious significance but also holds immense artistic and literal significance. It has been a substantiation to numerous literal events similar as the attacks by foreign raiders, the restoration sweats by colorful autocrats, and the Indian Independence Movement. It continues to be an important passage point for Hindus and attracts thousands of callers every time.
Somnath Temple history :
The history of the Somnath Temple is a fascinating story of faith, devotion, destruction, and reconstruction that spans several centuries. The Temple has been a symbol of Hindu resistance against foreign irruptions, and a testament to the adaptability and abidance of the Indian people.
According to Hindu tradition, the original Somnath Temple in gujarat was erected by Lord Soma( Moon God) in gold. latterly, it was rebuilt by Lord Rama, the king of Ayodhya, during his 14- time exile. still, the first literal reference to the tabernacle comes from the accounts of the Chinese rubberneck Hiuen Tsang, who visited India in the 7th century CE and wrote about a tabernacle devoted to Lord Shiva in the area.
The current Temple was erected by King Vikramaditya of the Chalukya dynasty in the 11th century CE, after the former tabernacle was destroyed by foreign raiders. The Temple was erected in the Chalukya style of armature, with a towering shikhara( becket) rising up to a height of 155 bases. The tabernacle was also adorned with exquisite busts, puppets, and oils, and was considered one of the most magnific tabernacles of its time.
still, the Temple was constantly attacked and destroyed by foreign raiders over the centuries. The first major attack on the tabernacle came in the 11th century, when Mahmud of Ghazni raided India and pillaged the tabernacle of its treasures. The tabernacle was rebuilt by King Bhoj of Malwa, but was again destroyed by the armies of Allauddin Khilji in the 14th century.
The Temple was rebuilt and restored several times over the centuries, but suffered major destruction during the Mughal irruptions of the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1706, the tabernacle was eventually destroyed by the armies of Aurangzeb, who used its monuments to make a synagogue .
The reconstruction of the Temple began in 1951, under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. The new tabernacle was erected using the original architectural plans and accoutrements , and was completed in 1951. The tabernacle was inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India.
Since also, the tabernacle has experienced several emendations and restorations, and has come one of the most important passage spots for Hindus. The tabernacle has also been a symbol of Hindu pride and public concinnity, and a testament to the continuing spirit of the Indian people.
In conclusion, the history of the Somnath Temple is a testament to the adaptability, devotion, and determination of the Indian people, who have faced and overcome multitudinous challenges and obstacles over the centuries. The tabernacle continues to inspire and attract addicts and callers from each over the world, and stands as a symbol of the rich artistic and spiritual heritage of India.
Somnath temple timings :
The Somnath Temple is open for darshan( deification) throughout the time, and the timings are as follows
• The tabernacle opens beforehand in the morning, around 600 AM.
• The morning aarti( deification) is performed at 700 AM.
• The tabernacle remains open throughout the day, and callers can have darshan from 600 AM to 900 PM.
• The evening aarti is performed at evening, around 700 PM.
• The tabernacle closes after the evening aarti.
Please note that the timings may vary on special occasions and during carnivals, and it’s judicious to check the tabernacle website or interrogate at the tabernacle office for streamlined timings.
It’s also important to note that there may be long ranges and staying times during peak hours, especially on weekends and leaves. To avoid crowds and insure a peaceful darshan experience, it’s judicious to visit the tabernacle during weekdays and outside peak hours.
Who invaded the somnath temple in Gujarat :
The Somnath Temple Gujarat was raided and destroyed by several foreign raiders over the centuries. Some of the most notable irruptions are as follows
• Mahmud of Ghazni In 1024 CE, Mahmud of Ghazni, a Turkish sovereign who had raided India multiple times, attacked and pillaged the Somnath Temple, taking away its treasures and gold.
• Allauddin Khilji In 1297 CE, Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, raided Gujarat and destroyed the tabernacle again.
• Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb In 1706 CE, Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor, attacked and destroyed the tabernacle, using its monuments to make a synagogue .
These irruptions and destructions of the tabernacle were a result of the foreign irruptions and conflicts that took place in India over the centuries, as colorful autocrats and conglomerates fought for control over the region. still, the tabernacle was rebuilt and restored several times over the centuries, and has remained a symbol of Hindu resistance and adaptability against foreign raiders.
Sonmath nearest airport :
The nearest field to the Somnath Temple is the Keshod Airport( IXK), which is located in Keshod, about 50 kilometers down from the tabernacle. still, this is a small field with limited connectivity, and only a many airlines operate breakouts to Keshod.
The nearest major field is the Rajkot Airport( RAJ), which is located about 170 kilometers down from the tabernacle. The Rajkot Airport is well- connected to major metropolises in India, similar as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, with regular breakouts operated by several airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir.
Another option is the Ahmedabad Airport( AMD), which is located about 400 kilometers down from the tabernacle. Ahmedabad Airport is a major transnational field, with breakouts connecting to several domestic and transnational destinations, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Dubai, and Singapore. From Ahmedabad, callers can hire hacks or take motorcars to reach Somnath Temple.
Railway station near somnath temple
The nearest road station to the Somnath Temple is the Veraval Railway Station, which is located about 7 kilometers down from the tabernacle. Veraval is a major road station in Gujarat, and is well- connected to several metropolises in India, including Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Delhi, with regular trains operated by Western Railroads.
From the Veraval Railway Station, callers can hire hacks or take original motorcars to reach the Somnath Temple. The trip takes about 15 to 20 twinkles, depending on the business. Some hospices and guesthouses in the area also offer pick- up and drop- off services to the road station for their guests.
Other near road stations include Junagadh Railway Station, located about 80 kilometers down, and Rajkot Railway Station, located about 200 kilometers down from the tabernacle. These stations are also well- connected to major metropolises in India, and callers can take hacks or motorcars to reach Somnath Temple from these stations.