JAI SOMNATH
The Somnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of (the) Moon God". One can reach Somnath Temple by air, train or road. The airports are a bit far, the best option is train. I, with my family, boarded a train from Ahmedabad to Veraval, 6 km from Somnath, in the evening and early morning by 7am we reached Veraval. From the Veraval railway station we hired an auto to a Hotel .On the way I noticed big dockyards where hundreds of big ships were kept. After resting for some time in hotel we headed to The Somnath Temple. On the way there were many guest houses and lodges for the pilgrims. Once reaching The Temple one has to go through the tight security check, photography, mobiles are not allowed inside Temple premises. There are two Temples , one is old Somnath Temple and the other one is New Somnath Temple. It is the new Temple which attracts maximum pilgrims and visitors. The Somnath Temple was many times raided and destroyed by Muslim invaders and rulers but even after so many attacks the Temple was reconstructed every time. The present temple structure was built by the affords of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and K.M.Munshi. Its located on the sea shore. After having the darshan of the divine Jyotirlinga ,we spent time in the temple compound and waited for the Shiv Arti. It is said that the Temple is directly connected to the South Pole on a particular longitude. The Temple premises are beautiful and spacious. It was very peaceful and calm atmosphere full of devotion. In the compound there were statues depicting the story of all the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. I found the place good for meditation, sit on a bench near the sea shore and lost yourself in the other world. The place provides mental peace. It was the arti time and the atmosphere was resonating with the sound of arti. It was a very pleasant experience. After the arti and taking prasad ,we came out of the Temple and visited the sea shore. Taking the blessings of Somnath Jyotirling we boarded the train back to Ahmedabad from Veraval in the evening.
JAI SOMNATH
The Somnath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of (the) Moon God". One can reach Somnath Temple by air, train or road. The airports are a bit far, the best option is train. I, with my family, boarded a train from Ahmedabad to Veraval, 6 km from Somnath, in the evening and early morning by 7am we reached Veraval. From the Veraval railway station we hired an auto to a Hotel .On the way I noticed big dockyards where hundreds of big ships were kept. After resting for some time in hotel we headed to The Somnath Temple. On the way there were many guest houses and lodges for the pilgrims. Once reaching The Temple one has to go through the tight security check, photography, mobiles are not allowed inside Temple premises. There are two Temples , one is old Somnath Temple and the other one is New Somnath Temple. It is the new Temple which attracts maximum pilgrims and visitors. The Somnath Temple was many times raided and destroyed by Muslim invaders and rulers but even after so many attacks the Temple was reconstructed every time. The present temple structure was built by the affords of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and K.M.Munshi. Its located on the sea shore. After having the darshan of the divine Jyotirlinga ,we spent time in the temple compound and waited for the Shiv Arti. It is said that the Temple is directly connected to the South Pole on a particular longitude. The Temple premises are beautiful and spacious. It was very peaceful and calm atmosphere full of devotion. In the compound there were statues depicting the story of all the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines. I found the place good for meditation, sit on a bench near the sea shore and lost yourself in the other world. The place provides mental peace. It was the arti time and the atmosphere was resonating with the sound of arti. It was a very pleasant experience. After the arti and taking prasad ,we came out of the Temple and visited the sea shore. Taking the blessings of Somnath Jyotirling we boarded the train back to Ahmedabad from Veraval in the evening.
