Somnath Temple: The Eternal Flame of Bharat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers and performed rituals at the Somnath Temple during the Somnath Amrut Parv celebrations in Gujarat.

The Mahapuja commemorated 75 years since the reopening and consecration of the restored Somnath Temple in 1951.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv honours the enduring civilisational and spiritual legacy of Somnath. The occasion is historically significant for two reasons:

• It marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni, and
• It commemorates the 75th anniversary of the temple’s reopening on May 11, 1951.

On that occasion, India’s first President, Rajendra Prasad dedicated the temple to the nation and described Somnath as a symbol of India’s spiritual resilience and cultural resurgence.

Somnath Temple: Historical and Religious Importance

Located at Prabhas Patan along the Saurashtra coast, Somnath is among India’s holiest pilgrimage sites.

The temple enshrines one of the sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva mentioned in the Shiva Purana.

Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram: Somnath listed first among 12 JyotirlingasDwadasha\ Jyotirlinga\ Stotram:\ Somnath\ listed\ first\ among\ 12\ JyotirlingasDwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram: Somnath listed first among 12 Jyotirlingas

Somnath is revered in Hindu tradition for the worship of:

• Lord Shiva,
• Lord Krishna, and
• Shakti.

The origins of the temple are closely associated with the worship of Chandra, the Moon God.

Repeated Destruction and Reconstruction

In January 1026, Somnath witnessed its first recorded attack by invaders, initiating centuries of repeated destruction and reconstruction between the 11th and 18th centuries.

Despite repeated invasions, the temple continued to be rebuilt by rulers and devotees:

• Kumarapala restored the temple in the 12th century.
• The King of Junagadh rebuilt it in the 13th century.
• Ahilyabai Holkar established a new temple at Somnath in the 18th century.

The temple thus remained a powerful symbol in India’s collective cultural memory.

Reconstruction After Independence

After Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins of Somnath in 1947 and resolved to rebuild the temple as a symbol of national revival.

The present temple was constructed through public participation in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad architectural style.

On May 11, 1951, President Rajendra Prasad formally consecrated the temple, marking the restoration of one of India’s most revered sacred sites.

Architectural Features of the Present Temple

The current Somnath Temple is noted for its grand architecture and spiritual symbolism:

• A 150-foot-high Shikhar,
• A 10-tonne Kalash atop the temple,
• A 27-foot Dhwajdand symbolising enduring faith,
• 1,666 gold-plated Kalash, and
• 14,200 Dhwajas reflecting centuries of devotion and craftsmanship.

Source: PIB