Somnath Jyotirlinga is the first and foremost among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Located in the town of Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, the Somnath Temple is revered as the "Shrine Eternal" — a testament to the unbreakable spirit of Sanatan Dharma. The name "Somnath" is derived from Soma (the Moon God) and Nath (Lord or Protector), meaning "Protector of the Moon".
According to ancient Hindu scriptures, the Somnath Jyotirlinga was established by the Moon God himself as a mark of gratitude after Lord Shiva cured him of a curse. This makes Somnath the first Jyotirlinga in the traditional order of the twelve Jyotirlingas, mentioned in the Rigveda and other Puranas.
The history of Somnath Jyotirlinga is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to the Skanda Purana and Shiva Purana, Chandra (the Moon God) was married to the 27 daughters of King Daksha. However, he was deeply attached to Rohini, one of his wives, and neglected the others. Enraged by this partiality, Daksha cursed Chandra that he would lose his lustre and gradually wither away.
The crescent moon began to wane, causing distress among all living beings. Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva for relief. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Shiva granted him a boon — Chandra would regain his lost lustre every month, giving rise to the waxing and waning cycle of the moon. In gratitude, Chandra established the Somnath Jyotirlinga at Prabhas Patan and worshipped Lord Shiva there.
This legend makes Somnath Jyotirlinga the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas, as it was consecrated by the Moon God himself. The temple is also mentioned in the Mahabharata — it is said that the Pandavas visited Somnath during their pilgrimage and performed rituals here.
The original Somnath Temple is believed to have been built by the Moon God Chandra himself in gold. It was later rebuilt by Ravana (in silver), Lord Krishna (in wood), and Bhima (in stone), according to various legends.
The Somnath Temple became one of the richest and most magnificent temples in India, attracting pilgrims from across the subcontinent. It was repeatedly attacked by invaders. Mahmud of Ghazni looted and destroyed the temple in 1025 CE, an event that marked a turning point in Indian history.
The temple was rebuilt several times by Hindu kings, including Kumarapala of the Chaulukya dynasty and others. Each time it was destroyed, it was rebuilt with greater determination — earning it the title "Shrine Eternal".
Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built a new temple adjacent to the original site. This temple still stands today and is known as the Old Somnath Temple.
The present Somnath Temple was reconstructed under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was completed in 1951. The temple was consecrated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India. The architecture follows the Chalukya style of temple construction.
Today, the Somnath Temple stands as a majestic symbol of India's spiritual and cultural heritage. It is managed by the Shree Somnath Trust and is visited by millions of devotees every year. The temple complex includes the main shrine, the Old Somnath Temple built by Ahilyabai Holkar, and several other sacred sites. The Jyotirlinga itself is worshipped daily with Jal Abhishek, Dudh Abhishek, Panchamrit Abhishek, and Rudrabhishek, conducted by learned priests following Vedic traditions.
The Light and Sound Show at Somnath in the evening narrates the glorious history of the temple, and the Baan Stambh (arrow pillar) with its inscription "As long as the sun and moon shine, Somnath will stand" continues to inspire millions.
For devotees who cannot visit in person, online puja and abhishek services are available. Book your Somnath Abhishek with Pandit Kush Nimeshbhai Pathak to receive the blessings of Lord Shiva from anywhere in the world.
Experience the divine blessings of Somnath Jyotirlinga from anywhere in the world. Book your Jal Abhishek, Dudh Abhishek, Panchamrit Abhishek, or Rudrabhishek with Pandit Kush Nimeshbhai Pathak.
Somnath Jyotirlinga History | Somnath Temple History | First Jyotirlinga | Somnath Temple Destruction | Somnath Temple Reconstruction | Somnath Mahadev | Jyotirlinga History | Somnath Gujarat | Shrine Eternal