Somnath temple is on the Saurashtra cost in Junagadh distict is an important place of pilgrimage for followers of both Shiva and Vishnu. Somnath is the site for one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and one of the twelve most sacred shiva shrines in India. According to the legend, Somnath is as old as creation, built by none other than the Moon God himself. Somnath was destroy and rebuilt several times. The latest temple was built in phases from 1950 onwards. Mehmud of Gazni having heard of its fabulous treasure, raided it in 1026 and carried away camel-loads of jewels and gold.
The pinnacle rides to a height of 155 feet. The kalash atop the shikkar weighs 10 tonnes. The flag-mast is 37feet long. These details give an idea of the size of the temple. The temple is so situate that there is no land from here to the south pole. An arrow indicates the direction. |
