Somnath Temple: History, Story, Significance, Location, Importance
, 10 min reading time
Somnath Temple in Gujarat is one of the 12 Jytorirlingas that hold the power to make the life of the worshipper and traveller better only by the sight of Lord Shiva. Know more here.
Somnath Temple: History, Story, Significance, Location, Importance
Have you ever heard of a temple that has been destroyed and rebuilt time and again, yet still stands strong as a symbol of faith and hope? That’s the story of the Somnath Temple.
It is a temple not just made of stone, but of belief, courage, and determination. Located on the western coast of India in the state of Gujarat, Somnath is one of the oldest and most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
But what makes it truly special isn’t just its age or beauty. It’s the fact that over hundreds of years, kings and invaders tore it down, but the people of India kept rebuilding it again and again, each time with more devotion than before.
In today’s article we will navigate through the simple yet powerful story of Somnath, its history, why it’s important, where it is, and what it means to people even today.
Whether you are religious or just curious, this journey into the world of Somnath will help you understand not only a temple but also the heart of a civilization that never gave up.
What is the legend behind Somnath Temple?
The legend behind Somnath Temple begins with a story from ancient Hindu mythology and is rooted in the relationship between a father, his daughters, and the Moon God.
Once upon a time, Daksha Prajapati, one of the mind-born sons of Lord Brahma, had 27 daughters, who are known as the Nakshatras or constellations in the sky.
He married all his daughters to Chandra Dev, the Moon God, with the hope that he would love all of them equally. But Chandra fell deeply in love with only one of them, Rohini. She was his favorite, and he spent most of his time with her, ignoring the other 26 sisters.
The other daughters felt hurt and complained to their father, Daksha. When he saw that Chandra was indeed being unfair, he became angry and cursed him to lose his radiance and beauty, which meant that the Moon would slowly fade away.
Chandra became weak, dull, and almost vanished from the sky. The world was thrown into partial darkness, and balance in nature was disturbed.
Desperate to escape the curse and regain his brightness, Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva. He came to the land we now call Prabhas Patan and performed intense meditation and worship.
Impressed by Chandra’s devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before him and partially lifted the curse, allowing the Moon to regain and lose his shine in a regular cycle. This is why we see the phases of the moon like waxing and waning, even today.
In gratitude, Chandra built a magnificent temple at the very place where he was blessed, and dedicated it to Lord Shiva. Shiva then came to be known as Somnath, which means ‘Lord of the Moon’ (Soma means Moon, Nath means Lord).
Hence, the temple is not just a place of worship rather it is a place where a divine story unfolded, showing us the power of devotion, forgiveness, and balance.
What is the historical significance along with the rise, fall and rebirth of Somnath Temple?
The historical significance of the Somnath Temple goes far beyond its religious value as it is a living symbol of India’s courage, faith, and the will to rise again no matter how many times it is brought down.
The Somnath Temple was first built thousands of years ago and no one knows the exact date but as we have already talked above it is believed to be one of the earliest and most sacred temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Legends say that the Moon God, Chandra Dev, built the original temple in gold after he was cursed and then cured by Shiva at this very spot. That alone made it sacred for many people.
But as time passed, this holy place also attracted the eyes of invaders, not because of faith, but because of wealth. Ancient temples in India were often full of gold, silver, and precious stones donated by kings and common people alike. Somnath, being one of the richest temples, became a target.
The first major attack came in 1025 AD by Mahmud of Ghazni, a ruler from modern-day Afghanistan. He not only destroyed the temple but looted its treasures and carried away its symbolic jyotirlinga.
The destruction wasn’t just about breaking a building rather it was meant to break the spirit of the people. But that’s where Somnath’s real history begins and it is not in its fall, but in how the people responded.
Instead of giving up, the temple was rebuilt again and again. Over the next 700–800 years, the Somnath Temple faced multiple attacks by the Delhi Sultans, Portuguese, and even during Aurangzeb’s reign.
Each time it was brought down, the local kings and communities came together to bring it back to life. It became a habit of resilience.
By the time India became independent in 1947, the temple was in ruins once again. That’s when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, visited the site. Moved by its broken state and what it represented, he promised that Somnath would rise again.
And he kept his promise. In 1951, the modern Somnath Temple was rebuilt in traditional style using sandstone, and the new structure became a symbol of national unity and pride.
It means that Somnath isn’t just a temple, rather it’s a reminder. A reminder that even if you are attacked, misunderstood, or hurt repeatedly, you can always rebuild yourself.
Somnath Temple is an Architectural Marvel with a blend of tradition and grandeur
When you first stand in front of the Somnath Temple, it doesn't just look like a building, rather it feels like a story told in stone. The temple is made using solid sandstone, without the use of cement or iron, showing the skill of ancient Indian craftsmen.
The structure is built in what is known as the "Chalukya style," which means the walls and pillars are covered with delicate carvings of gods, flowers, and symbols that represent peace and strength. Its spire rises high into the sky, reminding visitors of a mountain touching the heavens.
What makes it even more special is how it faces the open Arabian Sea, as if Lord Shiva himself is looking out into eternity.
The beauty of Somnath lies not in how big or expensive it is, but in how every piece of it connects faith, nature, and fine craftsmanship into one sacred space.
It’s a perfect example of how traditional Indian architecture was not just about beauty, but also about meaning and purpose.
Why is Somnath special?
Somnath is special not just because it is a temple, but because it tells a story that touches every heart, no matter where you come from. It represents unshaken faith, the kind that doesn’t fade even in the face of destruction or fear.
What also makes Somnath truly special is how it connects both history and belief in one single place. It’s not just a site for religious people; rather , it's a lesson in courage, hope, and perseverance.
Kings, saints, and common people alike came together to protect it and bring it back to life each time it was attacked. That unity of purpose is rare.
Another reason why Somnath stands out is its location, right on the edge of the Arabian Sea. When you stand near the temple and look at the endless sea, it feels like time has paused.
It gives you a quiet moment to think, breathe, and feel part of something greater. The temple faces the sea, and there’s even a pillar there that says: from this point onward, all the way to Antarctica, there is no land.
That sense of vastness mirrors the feeling many get when they think of God or something beyond themselves.
Somnath is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are considered the most sacred places dedicated to Lord Shiva. People believe that visiting these shrines can cleanse one’s soul and bring peace of mind.
But even if you’re not very religious, visiting Somnath can still move you. It’s a reminder of how strong belief can be when it’s rooted deeply in the heart of people.
What is its location?
The Somnath Temple is located in a small coastal town called Prabhas Patan, which lies near Veraval city in the Gir-Somnath district of the state of Gujarat, India.
If you’re looking at a map of India, you’ll find it on the western edge, where the land touches the Arabian Sea.
This place is right by the sea, so when you visit, you’ll not only see the temple but also feel the cool sea breeze and hear the sound of waves crashing gently nearby.
It’s about 80–85 kilometers from Junagadh, a well-known city in Gujarat, and around 400 kilometers from Ahmedabad, the biggest city in the state. You can reach Somnath by road, rail, or even by air through the nearest airport in Diu, which is around 65 kilometers away.
What makes this location special is not just its natural beauty, but also its spiritual importance. This exact spot, where the temple stands, is believed to be one of the oldest and holiest places in India.
At last but not the least, when we think about the Somnath Temple, it's much more than just an old religious building. It’s like a living storybook that tells us how people, generation after generation, held on to their faith even when everything was falling apart.
Somnath reminds us of something very basic but very important that faith is not just about praying in a temple, it’s about believing in something bigger than your problems, and having the courage to keep going.
Today, when you stand in front of the Somnath Temple, you're not just looking at walls and carvings.
You’re standing in front of the strength of an entire civilization, the faith of ordinary people like you and me, and the hope that refuses to die. And sometimes, all we need to do is stand still for a moment, take it all in, and simply believe.
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