Somnath Temple

An important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat, The Somnath temple is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat. It is believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

The Somnath temple is known as the eternal shrine whose glory and fame is extraordinary. It is believed that the Somraj, the moon god built the Somnath temple out of gold. It was rebuilt by Ravana and Lord Krishna. further, it was rebuilt by king bhimdev Solanki in stones.

The temple's imposing architecture includes intricate carvings, silver doors, an impressive Nandi idol and the central Shiva linga. 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.

Reconstructed numerous times over the centuries, the Somnath temple's structure still impresses, and its spiritual importance to Hindu pilgrims has outlived each test the temple has faced, including repeated sackings by numerous outside rulers and armies.

There are the number of other temples around Somnath Bhalka Tirth, Triveni Sangam that are visited by pilgrims as a part of pilgrimage trip. The Gir National Park is the last home of the Asiatic Lion and is situated around 43 km off Somnath.