Somnath is a pilgrimage town located along the coastline of Arabian sea in Gujarat, the main attraction of the town is Somnath temple and Somnath beach. Other attractions of the town are Gita Mandir, Balukha Tirtha, Kamnath Mahadev Temple and Somnath Museum.
Somnath is pilgrimage temple town located along the coastline in Prabhas Patan, in Gujarat, 400 kilometers away from Ahmedabad. Somnath, meaning 'lord of the moon' and is a pilgrim center and is home to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Somnath is a place where strong vibes of religion and legends lingers around tourism and even in daily life. The spiritual environment is ornamented by the huge number of temples in the area, but the town also offers beaches, museums and other attractions. While the Somnath temple and Somnath beach are the main attraction to visit here, Gita Mandir, Balukha Tirtha, Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Somnath Museum are some of the other places that one can visit.
Somnath Temple, Somnath
The Somnath Temple is first of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. The temple is located on the western coast of Gujarat and is one of the oldest temples of the country. The temple is located on the ancient Triveni Sangam or the confluence of three rivers - Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati.
The temple is known as an eternal shrine owing to its perseverance against the test of time. It is said that the temple was looted and destroyed as many as seventeen times by emperors like Mahmud Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, and Aurangzeb. And the temple was reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by multiple Muslim invaders and rulers.
After India's independence, the present Somnath temple was reconstructed in the Māru-Gurjara style of Hindu temple architecture. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the force behind the revival and reconstruction of the present-day temple in 1951 which still serves as a notable edifice of the original Somnath Temple. The temple attracts millions of devotees all throughout the year.
Bhalka Tirth, Somnath
The Bhalka Tirth is a famous Hindu pilgrim centre which is believed to be the location where Lord Krishna was shot by a hunter's arrow. According to the sacred scripts, Lord Krishna's death marks the end of the Dvapara Yug and the beginning of the Kali Yug. The pilgrim site has a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and is called Mahaprabhuji's Bethak.
Somnath Beaches, Somnath
Together with the world-famous Somnath Temple the town also offers scenic views of the Somnath Beach which is also an essential part of the itinerary of a tourist visiting Gujarat. Visitors enjoy a long day of sightseeing, although, swimming is not recommended. Tourists can rejuvenate themselves with fresh coconut water and corn available here along with the very famous camel rides.
Laxminarayan Temple , Somnath
The Laxminarayan Temple is located on the Somnath shore, the presiding deity, Lord Laxminarayan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Temple reflects modern architectural design, the temple is famous for the carvings on its 18 pillars which have the sacred message of Krishna in the form of Bhagwadgita. The Temple is flocked by thousands of devotees every year.
Triveni Sangam Temple, Somnath
The confluence of the three rivers Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati this is the point where these serene rivers meet together in the mighty Arabian Sea. Triveni Sangam is believed to be a very sacred Moksha Tirtha for Hindus. Devotees believe that a dip in the river at this holy ghat cleanses the body and spirit of all sins committed in his life.
Chorwad Beach, Somnath
The Chorwad Beach is one of the most serene and tranquil places to relax and enjoy in the state of Gujarat. A large number of people does not visit this beach and hence remains quiet and peaceful. Though the water here is not ideal for swimming in, this beach provides ample opportunities to enjoy and relax. The whole place offers picture-perfect views especially during sunrise and sunset which is a must witness site.
Suraj Mandir, Somnath
The Suraj Mandir is located near the Triveni Ghats and is one of the few temples dedicated to the Sun God. There are depictions of elephants, lions and various other birds and animals in the temple. This is one of the rare holy sites dedicated to the spirits of nature which are praised in the Hindu heritage and religion.
Parshuram Temple, Somnath
The Parshuram temple where Lord Parshuram is believed to have conducted his penance. One of the rare temple dedicated to Lord Parshuram this temple provides visitors with a scenic surrounding and picturesque landscapes. According to legend, Parshuram had undergone a severe penance to free himself of the curse given to him by a king. It is believed, that it was here where lord Shiva finally relieved Parshuram of his curse.
Dehotsarg Teerth, Somnath
The Dehotsarg Teerth is a significant pilgrim centre for the Hindus as this is where Lord Krishna was shot by Jara's arrow. The location is marked by Lord Krishna's footprints and this incident is elaborated in the sacred texts. It is also believed that Krishna's brother, Baldev, also accompanied him in the form of a serpent crawling through the Balramjiki Gufa nearby. This pilgrim site is always flocked by thousands of devotees throughout the year.
Best time to visit Somnath
The ideal time to visit Somnath is from September to March, which are the best months to visit here, as the winters are quite cold. However, Somnath is extremely hot and humid during these seasons and should most definitely be visited during the winter months when the heat is more bearable.
Conclusion
Somnath has a beautiful landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historical sites, which are religious sites for pilgrims who wants to experience the religious aura of the city. From visiting the captivating Somnath Temple to Laxminarayan Temple, each location in Somnath offers a view into the rich beauty of this region. So pack your bags and follow this travel guide and explore the top places of Somnath.
