Modern · Hindu · India

Somnath Temple

સોમનાથ મંદિર

Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat · 20.8880°, 70.4013°

Shiva (Somnath)Modern (Chaulukya-style revival)Maru-Gurjara (Chaulukya revival)Jyotirlinga
Sacred since
1500 BCE
Ancient shrine destroyed & rebuilt many times; Mahmud of Ghazni's raid 1026
Standing structure
current temple 1951 (Chalukya style)
patron: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (initiative)

History & significance

First of the twelve Jyotirlingas and Indian history's great symbol of destruction and renewal — plundered by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 and razed repeatedly, last under Aurangzeb, then rebuilt in independent India at Sardar Patel's resolve and consecrated in 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad. The shore pillar's arrow marks an unbroken sea-line to Antarctica.

Sthala katha — the legend

Soma, the moon, wasting under Daksha's curse for favouring Rohini among his 27 star-wives, bathed at the Triveni here and worshipped Shiva, who set him in his hair and restored his waxing — the moon built the first temple in gold, in gratitude, at the place of his healing.

Reaching there

Veraval rail ~7 km; Diu airport ~85 km; Somnath Trust runs guest houses.

Official site ↗Open in Google Maps ↗Wikipedia ↗View on the atlas map

+91-94282-14914 (trust office) (from the official site, verified 2026-08-26)

Related sites

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Modern (Chaulukya-style revival)