Somnath Temple, Gujarat

Having been destroyed six times and subsequently rebuilt, the Somnath Temple is located on the West Indian coastline near Veraval in Saurashtra, Gujarat. Revered by the Hindus as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva, Somnath literally means, 'The Protector of the Moon God'.

Historic Significance

The original first temple of Somnath is believed to have been existed before the advent of the common-era. The Yadava Kings of Vallabhi built the second temple at the same site around 649. Destroyed by Junayad in 725, the Gurjara Pratihara King Nagabhatta II rebuilt the third temple structure of red sandstone in 815. Once again destroyed by Mahmud Gazni in 1024, it was rebuilt by Gujjar Paramara King Bhoj of Malwa and the Solanki King Bhima of Gujarat between 1026 and 1042 AD. The Somnath Temple was once again destroyed by Sultan Allauddin Khilji's army in 1296 was subsequently rebuilt by the Chudasama King Mahipala Deva in 1308, only to be destroyed by Muzaffar Shah, Mahmud Begda and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1375, 1451, and 1701 AD. However Queen Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt Somnath Temple on an adjacent site in 1783 AD, as the ruined temple was converted into a mosque by invaders.

Restoration after Independence

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ordered reconstruction of the present temple in 1947, which after his demise was completed by K.M. Munshi and other leaders of the Congress. Built in the Chalukya style of architecture, President Rajendra Prasad marked the post-independence installation ceremony symbolizing a reversal of past injustices done to the Hindus of this land.