Somnath
Tradition says the Moon god built the first temple here; history records attacks and rebuildings over a thousand years, and a new temple consecrated in 1951.
Sacred origin
[Traditional account]
Soma (Chandra), cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to wane, was healed by worshipping Shiva at Prabhasa; in gratitude he built a temple of gold. Ravana built it of silver, Krishna of wood and Bhimadeva of stone, says the tradition.
Documented history
[Archaeological evidence]
The temple was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE and damaged several times in later centuries, each time rebuilt. After 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led its reconstruction; President Rajendra Prasad consecrated the present temple on 11 May 1951.
The journey continues for members
- Nearby
Sources
- Shiva Purana — Koti Rudra Samhita
- Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda