Someshwar Mahadev temple, somnath

Somnath :-

Somnath means "The Protector of Moon God". The Somnath Temple is known as 'the Shrine Eternal'

Somnath Temple is a significant temple, comprising one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Located in Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval, Somnath Mandir falls in Saurashtra region that lies on the western coast of Gujarat.

 The temple of Somnath can be easily reached from anywhere in Gujarat. Bus services to Somnath are available from all the cities and towns of Gujarat. To ensure a comfortable journey, one can also opt for taxis that can be hired throughout the state of Gujarat. 

Somnath is also known by different names like- Deo pattan, Prabhas Pattan or Pattan Somnath. It is believed that 2000 priests served the idol of the temple.

Facing the wide open Arabian Sea, the temple at Somnath is an imposing structure offering a spectacular sight to the beholders. At a distance of 197 km from Mumbai city of Maharastra and 51 km from Surat City of Gujarat is the temple of Somnath Mahadev Mandir at Bilimora in Navsari District. One of the “Swayambhu Ling” of Lord Shiva.


It is said that Moon was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, moon favoured Rohini and neglected other queens. The angried Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. God Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagvan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.
Somnath, literally means Lord of Moon, derived its name from the temple Somnath temple. This religious destination was earlier known as ‘Prabhas Patan’.


Significance of somnath temple:-

 Someshwar Mahadev temple stands tall among the temples of India. The construction of the present temple in Junagadh district began in 1950. It is the seventh temple built to commemorate the glory of Lord Somnath who was known as BhAiraveshwar in the Sa(ya Yug, Shravanikeshwar in Treta Yug and Shrigaleshwar in DwaparYug.

Somnath Temple stands as a symbol of rich cultural heritage of India. The mention of this ancient temple has been made in the scriptures like 'Rig Veda' of the Hindu origin. The term Somnath suggests 'the protector of Moon God'. Lord Shiva is depicted here in the form of a Jyotirlinga (linga of light), as the protector. The incredible temple of Somnath is called as 'the Shrine Eternal' since, the temple has been shattered for not less than six times and every time, it has been reconstructed.

The inner temple of the Garbhashay was supported to be aglow with the luster of these gemstones. The Nanda Deep was always kept lighted with Kannauji attar. The treasure of the temple was forever full of vast wealth and was kept safe.

For worship of the Lord-and Abhishek (worship with holy water) sandalwood scented water was brought from Haridwar, Prayag Kashi every day. However flowers for special festivities were imported from Kashmir. For the routine daily worship, one thousand Brahmins were appointed. About three hundred and fifty dancing girls were appointed for the regular music and dance concerts that took place in the Temple courts.

This religious place of worship was earning the produce of ten thousand villages. Among the twelve JyotirLingas (Lingas of light) Somanath is considered as the primary one. Because this deity is supposed to be Swayanbhu (self-born) and is always awake, lakhs of devotees visited this temple and considered themselves blessed and to have achieved piety. Offerings made by crores of devotees amounted to crores of rupees which kept the Somnath Temple always rich and abundant. Along with this, the Sun worshipping foreigners (probably Parsis) also contributed a pat of their profits to the temple treasury which kept its coffers full, all the time.

Architecture:-
The present temple is built in the Chalukya style of temple architecture or Kailash Mahameru Prasad Style and reflects the skill of the Sompura Salats, one of Gujarat's master masons. The temple's shikhara 50 m tall. , or main spire, is 150 feet in height, and it has a 27 foot tall flag pole at the top.

The temple's imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central shivalinga. In the vast courtyard stand the massive mandapa (hall), as well as the main shrine, whose gently curved pyramidal forms tower over the whole complex.

Through a side door the sea is visible shimmering in the sunlight. Try slipping out to gaze at the roaring waves below, which though not safe for swimming, present an exhilarating spectacle. In view, you will find a tower called Deep Stambha erected on the embankment. On the top is a shape like a conch shell on its side, and in the tower is an arrow pointing directly to the south pole (interestingly, a line between here and the south pole crosses no land until Antarctica.)

The temple is situated at such a place that there is no land in straight-line between Somnath seashore till Antarctica, such an inscription in Sanskrit is found on the Arrow-Pillar called Baan-Stambh erected on the sea-protection wall at the Somnath Temple. This Baan-Stambh mentions that it stands at a point on the Indian landmass, which happens to be the first point on land in the north to the south-pole on that particular longitude.

significance:-
The Tallest Mahadev Temple in South Gujarat
The Peak of the Temple (108 Feets) can be seen from Arabean Sea
A Pious Land selected for “Swayambhu” by Mahadev himself being on the Sangam of Three Rivers (Ambika, Kaveri and Kharera) and the land of Bilv Trees.
High Spiritual Vibration can be experienced inside of “Garbh Gruh” of the temple.
A Hub of Faith and Truth and centre for religious,cultural activities and Social Services.
Organise a Month long Shravan Mela in the Complex and and More Than 30 Lacs peoples visit in Mela.

Rebuilding of Somnath Jyotirlinga:-
Somnath Jyotirling has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times in the history:
Accounts of glory and wealth of Somnath by the Arab traveler Al Biruni prompted a visit by Mahmud of Ghazini who ransacked and destroyed the temple in 1025 CE. It was immediately rebuilt by King Bhima of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa.
Somnath temple was destroyed again by Alaf Khan, the general of Allauddin Khilji in 1300 CE. It was rebuilt again by King Mahipala of the Chudasama dynasty.
Somnath shrine was destroyed yet again in 1390, 1490, 1530 and finally in 1701 by Aurangazeb. It was rebuilt with perseverance each time after it was destroyed.

































About lord:-

Soma constructed the temple as a gesture after Lord Shiva cured him of his illness. This illness was caused by his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati's curse. Daksha cursed him to wane as he was infatuated with Rohini and was neglecting the other 26 wives, all 26 of whom were the daughters of Prajapati. 

Then King Daksha cursed Moon and made him a patient of tuberculosis. His fame and effect decreased. To cancel this curse, Moon approached lord Brahma.

Lord Brahma said Moon to meditate lord Shiva at Sarnath temple. As told by lord, Moon

performed the same thing and got free from the curse.

From that time it is believed that god moon came here to worship lord Shiva. After the worship, lord Shiva said Moon to ask for his wish. On this Moon asked lord Shiva to free him from the curse and forgive all his sins.

Removing the curse fully was not possible for lord Shiva. A solution was taken out that curse of Moon shall not be present in one Paksha out of the two (Krishna and Shukla). Hence, moon grows in one Paksha and decreases its size in the next. Moon was obliged by the grace of lord Shiva and he worshipped him.

Since then, lord Shiva is worshipped at this place. By coming in this temple, lord Shiva became famous in this world. Deities also bow down at this place. Chander Dev is also present at this place.


Famous Temples Around Bilimora :-

In Bilimora:-  
1. Shri Jalaram Mandir
2. Gayatri Mata Mandir
3. Dhwarikadhish Mandir
4. Shree Ramji Lalji Maharaj Mandir
   
Outside Distance from Bilimora:-
 
Andheshwar Mahadev Amalsad 05 KM  
Kameshwar Mahadev Gadat 08 KM  
Mallikarjun Mahadev Majigam 08 KM  
Gangeshwar Mahadev Kachcholi 14 KM  
Shukleshwar Mahadev Anaval 32 KM  
Barumal Mahadev        Barumal 65 KM  
Tadkeshwar Mahadev Valsad 32 KM  
Vighneshwar Mahadev Mahuwa 54 KM  
Kedareshwar Mahadev Bardoli 60 KM  
   
   


Worth- Visiting Places Near Bilimora:-

  Saputara Hill station
  Shabari kumbh
  Daman
  Silvassa
  Dadra nagar Haveli
  Surat
  The 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva
  Anaval

Rudresvara Temple:-
Rudreshvara Temple is a ruined temple located near the Somnath temple. This temple dates from the same time as the Somnath Temple and was laid out in a similar fashion. The sculptures on the walls and doorways give an indication of what the Somnath Temple was like.



Bhalka Tirth:-
Bhalka Tirth is situated halfway between the Veraval and Somnath. At this place, the Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and wounded by an arrow. The legendary spot is at the confluence of the three rivers. This place is entered through the small.












 Prabas Pata Museum, Somnath:-
Sangam (confluence gate), known as the Nana. North of this sacred spot is the Suraj Mandir or Sun Temple. This ancient temple was destroyed by the Mahmud of Ghazni. The temple,

with a lane of lions with elephant trunks, probably dates from the same time as the Somnath temple.






   
 Dehotsarg Tirth:-
This Tirtha is located on the banks of Hiran at a distance of 1.5km from Somnath temple.The footprint of Bhagvan Shree Krishna is carved here to mark the divine memory of Shree Krishna Neejdham Prasthan Leela.  Baldevji,  the elder brother of  Shree Krishna also took his last journey from here in his original serpent form.  This is marked by an ancient holy cave called “Dauji-ni Gufa”.





Somnath Kund:-
Somnath Kund at this place was established by deities. It is said that lord Brahma and Shiva also reside at this place. A person who have bath in this Kund, all his sins are cancelled. Even, incurable diseases are also cured. It some one is suffering from tuberculosis, then he should have bath in this Kund for 6 months.

Hill-top shrines like Ambaji, Palitana, Girnar and Pavagadh are similarly prominent in legend and historical - should be are historical. Palitana is a hilltop place of pilgrimage for Jains. 863 temples of all sizes crowd the hill which has to be paced on foot. Stone and marble spires with their rich detail of carving make for Palitana’s architectural splendor.

Route:-

Air - The nearest airport from Somnath is Keshod 55 km away and linked to Mumbai. There are regular buses and taxis plying between Keshod and Somnath. 

Rail - The nearest railhead is seven km away at Veraval, which is connected by train to Ahmedabad and some other cities in Gujarat. 

Road - State transport corporation buses and private coaches run regular service to other cities in the region. Somnath is connected by a good road network to the other nearby places like Veraval 7 km, Mumbai 889 km, Ahmedabad 400 km, Bhavnagar 266 km, Junagarh 85 km, and Porbandar 122 km. 

Accomidation:-

Guest House:-
Trust has Guesthouse for accomodation of pilgrims. It has 6 Rooms each having 3 Beds. Clean Toilets and Bathrooms. Available at very cheap rates.

Private Hotels:-
There are few private Hotels are also availables with Single / Double Bedrooms A/c-Non A/c rooms. The Tarif are very low.

Food:-
Temple Complex having Food Cafeteria serving breakfast, Lunch and Dinner at Subsidised Rates
Private Restaurants and hotels available.

Hospitals and Other medical Services:-
There are several Public Hospitals are in town which are well euipped.
Several Medical stores are also available in Town.