Somnath

Somnath is a town completely immersed in bhakti. Legend narrates that, at Prabhas Kshetra, Lord Shiva manifested in the form of linga called Somnath in response to devoted penance by the Moon god or Som. Somnath temple is the first of the twelve jyotirlingas. Recorded events in history tell us of invasions and attacks that destroyed the temple many times. This temple is known as the Shrine Eternal, as, although the temple has been destroyed six times it has been rebuilt every single time. Built in red sandstone, Somnath temple stands adjacent to the sea shore.
This is also the land where Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama entered their heavenly abode. Dehotsarg, ShashiBhushan Mahadeva temple, Bhalka Teerth are dedicated to places associated with these events.
State and Private transport operators provide bus services to Somnath and the nearest railway station is at Veraval (5kms away).
Best Time to Visit: October to April

Languages Spoken: Gujarati

Climate: Hot and dry summers and pleasant winters
Holy places: Somnath temple, Ahilyabai Holkar Temple, Dehotsarg, Veneshwar Mahadeva temple, ShashiBhushan Mahadeva temple, Bhalka Teerth, Sun temple

Road Journeys – Somnath to Diu – Sea and Sand

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On the way, we deliberately stopped at one point sighting a very unusual Palm-Tree with multiple branches. Later we found jungles of such trees in entire Diu and its adjoining areas. Browsing, it revealed, those were the Hokka-Trees, African specie of Palm brought by the Portuguese which in due course adapted Diu’s atmosphere and grow in plenty throughout. Locals call it Hokka, not found any where else in the country and also bore edible fruits that have medicinal properties.

Unlike Daman it was pleasing to notice a decent surrounding without the chaos of liquor shops and drunken-brawls instead, the hard drinks were available in much civilized and socialised manner. The places worth a visit in Diu are the Ghoghla Beach, Diu Fort, St. Paul’s Church, Nagoa Beach, Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple, Shell Museum, Naida Caves and Fortim-do-mar (Panikota).

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Road Journeys – Towards Somnath, In search of enlightenment

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Soon, we reached at my fourth Jyotirling, Somnath. Parking the car a few meters away in a very large space with unorganized parking facility though I hurriedly jogged to have the glance of the magnificent temple about which I have read so much in our history books during school and also in visual media. Soon a right turn left me in awe with eyes wide open to see the magnitude and glamour of the historical and mythological grand shrine at the shores of Arabian Sea, an architectural marvel standing erect in pride.

A large boundary around the shrine, with many visible vigil eyes, armed guards, innumerable CCTV cameras and steel barricading with metal detectors, scanners besides checking physically to every entrant beyond the permissible limit, reminds the history of destructions of the shrine in the past and its prone to vulnerability in the future.

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My visit to Dwarka and Somnath

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You need to take a engine boat which will take you across the sea.Bet dwarka is most important religious place and as belived that shri krishna meet his friend sudama here.After visited bet dwarka we just left for nageshwar jyotirling.

We came back from bet dwarka and nageshwar at 3 and then we took a nap for some time. And then set out on foot for sight scene near the city I forgot the name of the temple situated near dwarka city but you can get information about temples and sight scene from the hotels and local citizens and Autorikshwalas.

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Visit to Somnath, Dwarka and Nageshwar Mahadev – Part 2

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The legend behind the distance is the annoyance of Durwasaa Rishi, who cursed Rukmini that she would remained separated from her husband as she had not offered the Rishi the water which she took while pulling the Chariot of the Rishi, and hence this temple is said to be located at a distance of 2 kms from Dwarkadheesh’s temple.

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