Somnath Jyotirlinga - Significance, Darshan, Katha & Yatra Guide

Somnath stands at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, on the western shore where the land meets the Arabian Sea. It is honoured as the first of the twelve jyotirlingas - the self-manifested radiant lingas of Lord Shiva. The name Somnath means 'Lord of the Moon', for the Moon god Soma is said to have first worshipped Shiva here. To begin the jyotirlinga yatra at Somnath is considered deeply auspicious.

According to the katha, the Moon god Chandra (Soma) married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha but loved only Rohini, neglecting the rest. The angered Daksha cursed Chandra to wane and lose his light. On the advice of the gods, Chandra came to Prabhas and performed intense penance to Lord Shiva, installing a linga here. Pleased, Shiva granted that the Moon would wane and wax in cycles rather than fade forever. In gratitude, Chandra built a golden shrine, and the place became known as Somnath.

Somnath is famed for its resilience. Over the centuries the temple was plundered and demolished several times - most notably by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE - yet devotees rebuilt it again and again. The present temple was reconstructed in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad style after India's independence, championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and consecrated in 1951. Its repeated rise from ruin makes Somnath a powerful symbol of unbroken faith.

The temple is open for darshan from early morning until late evening, and the linga is worshipped at fixed hours. Aarti is performed three times a day - morning, noon and evening - and devotees gather in large numbers for the evening aarti by the sea. A popular Sound and Light show in the temple courtyard narrates the temple's history after dusk. Photography inside the sanctum is not allowed, and phones must be deposited at the entrance counters.

Before the jyotirlinga, devotees chant the universal Shiva mantra:

Om Namah Shivaya

Many also recite the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra for health and longevity:

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam. Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityormukshiya Maamritat.

Offering bilva (bel) leaves, water and the chanting of these mantras with a calm heart is the simplest and most loved way to please Lord Somnath.

The best time to visit is from October to March, when the coastal weather is pleasant; Maha Shivratri and the month of Shravan see grand celebrations. The nearest airport and railhead are at Veraval and Diu, well connected to Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Combine darshan with nearby Bhalka Tirth and the Triveni Sangam. Carry light cotton clothes, reach early to avoid queues, and respect the strict security at the entrance.

Dress modestly and remove footwear and leather items before entering. Keep mobile phones and cameras in the lockers provided, as they are not permitted inside. Maintain silence and devotion in the queue, and avoid touching the sanctum unless permitted by the priests. Offering bel leaves, white flowers and water to the linga is traditional, and donating to the temple trust is considered meritorious.