Somnath temple facts for kids

The Somnath temple is a very important and famous place in Gujarat, India. It's a special spot for both religious journeys and for people visiting as tourists. You can find it in a place called Prabhas Patan, which is close to Veraval on the western coast of Gujarat.

Many people believe the Somnath temple is the very first of the twelve special Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. These shrines are considered very sacred.

The temple you see today was rebuilt in a beautiful old Indian style called the Chalukya style of Hindu temple architecture. This big rebuilding project finished in May 1951. The idea to rebuild it came from Vallabhbhai Patel, who was a very important leader and the Home Minister of India. He started the work, and it was completed after he passed away.

History of the Somnath Temple

The Somnath temple has a long and interesting history. It has been built and rebuilt many times over hundreds of years. It is believed to be a very ancient site, with the first temple possibly built thousands of years ago.

Why is Somnath Temple Important?

The Somnath temple is important for several reasons:

• First Jyotirlinga: It is believed to be the first of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. A Jyotirlinga is a special devotional image of Shiva.
• Pilgrimage Site: For many Hindus, visiting Somnath is a very important religious journey, or pilgrimage.
• Architectural Beauty: The temple's design, in the Chalukya style, is a wonderful example of ancient Indian architecture. It shows amazing craftsmanship.

Rebuilding the Temple

The current Somnath temple was rebuilt after India became independent. This was a big project that aimed to restore the temple to its former glory.

• Vision of Leaders: The rebuilding was strongly supported by Indian leaders like Vallabhbhai Patel. They wanted to bring back the historical and religious importance of the site.
• Modern Construction: The work started in the late 1940s and was finished in 1951. It used modern building techniques while keeping the traditional architectural style.

Visiting Somnath Temple

Today, the Somnath temple is a popular place for visitors. People come from all over the world to see its beauty and learn about its history.

• Location: The temple is located right by the sea, which makes for a beautiful view.
• Things to See: Besides the main temple, there are other smaller shrines and interesting spots nearby.

Images for kids

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  Somnath Jyotirlinga temple in 2015, Prabhas Patan

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  Ruined Somnath temple, 1869

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  Mahmud of Ghazni, a ruler from the Ghaznavid Empire, traveled far into India, reaching places like Somnath, Mathura, and Kannauj.

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  Some of the earliest photos of Somnath temple were taken in the 1800s. They show parts of the temple that were changed into an Islamic mosque.

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  The Gates from the tomb of Mahmud of Ghazni, kept at the Agra Fort, shown in 1872.

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  K. M. Munshi with experts from the government, looking at the ruins of Somnath Temple in July 1950.

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  Floor plan of the main Somnath temple, Veraval Gujarat

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  A wide view of the current Somnath temple from the southeast side.

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  A sketch from 1850 showing Somnath partly changed into a mosque.

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  Somnath Temple in 1957

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  Art showing Brahma-Shiva-Vishnu above the mukhamandapa (main hall).

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  Somnath Temple at dawn

See also

In Spanish: Somnath para niños