Somnath

17th June 2016: Trip to Somnath .

(1)SOMNATH TEMPLE: Shree somnath  is first among the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. It has a strategic location on the west coast of India.

Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with release of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to Twenty-Seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favoured Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved 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. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagvan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that 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 temple Photo Credit :-  Shree Somnath Trust 

The later sources of history account for several desecrations by Muslims invaders during eleventh to eighteen century A.D. The temple was rebuilt every time with the reconstructive spirit of the people. The modern temple was reconstructed with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on November 13 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.

Ahalyabai temple is also close by, which was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782. This temple maintained the Pooja Parampara of Bhagvan Shiva during the hostile political conditions.

 This Prabhas Khestra is the place of union between Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva describes that Prabhas Kshetra was one of the supreme centres of pilgrimage and capable of liberating all types of sins. Lord Shiva has manifested himself in form of linga called Somnath. The whole world is originated from it and merges into it at time of deluge. Skanda purana also mentions that there are around 5 crore Shiva lingas submerged in ocean around Prabhas kshetra.

somnath: Suvarna lingam(pc: sree somnath trust)

LIVE drashan of somnath can be watched from 7AM-8 PM http://www.somnath.org/Home/Live-Darshan. 

(2)AHILYABAI HOLKAR SOMNATH TEMPLE :- Queen Ahilyabai Holkar had made this temple in 1782. She had a dream of the spot where shivalinga was present . The spot was dug up and they found Shivalinga. They named it as Somnath Shivalinga. This Temple is built on the adjacent site as invaders had built Mosque on the actual site of the Somnath. So the Shivalinga present in this temple is Swayambhu and not installed one with pooja. Here devotee can  touch,  perform Pooja and Abhishekh of Somnath Mahadeva with the help of the priest.

(3)Bhalka Teerth :- where Lord Krishna was hit by an arrow by hunter. 

Bhalka teerth (pc: sree somnath trust)

This sacred teerth is located 5 km on Prabhas Veraval highway.  The arrow of the poacher named Jara at this spot hit Bhagvan Shree Krishna. Bhagvan Shree Krishna was resting in meditation pose under a pippal tree when the poacher misread the foot of Bhagvan Shree Krishna as a deer and hit from a distance.  

Bhalka teerth (pc: sree somnath trust)

Bhalka teerth (pc: sree somnath trust)

(4) Dehotsarg : where Lord Krishna Left his body and left to Goloka Dham .  Here in one place you will find lot of temples. Laxmi Narayan temple , Gita Mandir, Lord Balarama Gufa, Lord Krishna footprints etc.  The divine message of Bhagwan Shree Krishna in form of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is carved here on eighteen marble pillars. Laxminarayan Mandir houses divine shreevigraha of Bhagwan Laxminarayan.

(5)TRIVENI SANGAM :- Meeting of three rivers Hiranya , Kapila and Saraswati. Bathing at this place absolves all sins.Lord Krishna bathed here before proceeding to Neejdham.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HARA HARA MAHADEVA SHAMBO SHANKARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!