SOMNATH TEMPLE(JYOTIR-LINGH OF LORD SHIVA)
Moon God married the 27 children of Daksha Prajapati. They are the 27 stars (Ashwini, Bharani, Krittika, Rohini..........Revati). However Moon God showed special affection to only Rohini. This caused jealousy and worry among the other 26 stars. They complained to their father Daksha Prajapati. The aggrieved father in law cursed his son in law (Moon God) that he should lose His lustre because of which he was egoistic. The curse had immediate effect and the moon became a un shining Goblet. (Before this curse, it is said that the Moon always was full moon and there was no waning or waxing effect (Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha). A dejected moon ran to Brahma for the way to get de-cursed. Brahma suggested him to go to the holiest of places - PRABHASA TEERTHA and perform penance in honor of Lord Shiva. Moon God did so. Prabhasa Teertha is the famed area now in Gujarat state's Junaghad region.
Moon came to this spot and performed a long penance. A pleased Lord Shiva appeared and suggested the Krishna Paksha - Shukla Paksha system - waning and waxing effect. This caused the moon to regain his lost lustre.
Moon God built a Golden temple for Shiva in the present temple spot.
It is said that Ravana of Ramayana fame had built a Silver temple for Lord Shiva here. In Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna who hails from the same region, had built a Sandal Wood temple of Shiva.
The dark part in the present history of this temple starts in the 11th century when Mohmud Ghazni, “an insatiable invader and an intrepid marauder - destroyed the temple in 11th century. The spirited devotees reconstructed the temple only to see it attacked seven more times till 18th century. Every time the temple was rebuilt. The last rebuilding effort was undertaken by the Iron Man of modern India - Sardar Vallabhai Patel - rebuilt the entire temple in 1951 and restored it to its previous glory. Entire temple including the Shiva Linga is newly built.
Somnath is a temple town of ancient history. The famous Jyotirlinga Shiva temple immortalized by Sri Adi Shankara in his authoritative Jyotirlinga prayer "SAURASHTRE SOMANATHANCHA". The area is known as Prabhasa Teertha and has numerous places of historical and spiritual significance. The town itself has the Somanatha temple, Swayambhu Kali Mandir, Swayambhu Madhusudan Mandir. The place where Krishna left his mortal coil - DEHOTSARJAN STHAL is just two kilometres from the Shiva temple. The famous Gir forest, which has the only known population of Asiatic lions, is 60 Kilometers away. It is in this forest is the sacred Girnar hill. A steep 10,000 steps would lead to the Dattatreya Mandir on top of the hill.
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