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Friday, August 08, 2003

Jai Somnath 


K.M.Munshi, founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and historian writes: "The shrine of Somanath in Prabhasa is traditionally as old as creation; it. is prehistoric." He further observes: "Prabhasa was traditionally a sacred place even in the days of Dharma, the son of Pandu. The Mahabharata refers to it again and again."

The temple which has risen seven times from ashes till now depicts a saga of devotion and heroism. Legend has it that the Somnath Temple was originally built out of gold by Somraj, the moon god. Then, it was rebuilt by Ravana in silver and then again by Krishna in wood and yet again by King Bhimdev Solanki in stone in the 10th century.

Mahmud of Ghazni, upon hearing the description of the temple by an Arab traveller by the name Al Biruni, raided the temple in 1024 AD and after looting it, carried away camel loads of jewels and gold.

After the 1706 AD demolition by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, it was rebuilt the seventh time in 1950 AD with the support of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The temple contains one of the twelve sacred Shiva shrines known as 'Jyotirlingas'.


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