Somnath temple is well known as the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. This famous Jyotirlinga is located in Prabhas Patan near Junagadh in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat. Hundreds and thousands of devotees visit this famous place to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. It is not only an important pilgrimage centre for devotees but also a well-known tourist spot in India due to its coastline. 

Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and rulers, the present temple was reconstructed in the Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951. The reconstruction was started under the orders of the Home Minister of India, Vallabhbhai Patel, and completed after his death.

Temple History of Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath region has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni Sangam (the confluence of three rivers: Kapila, Hiran, and the mythical Saraswati, which is known to be hidden). It is said that Soma, the Moon God, is believed to have lost his lustre due to a curse. And therefore, He bathed in the Saraswati River at this site to regain his lustre and radiance. The name of the town Prabhas means lustre, as well as the alternative names Someshvar and Somnath, which mean the Lord of the Moon. 

According to popular tradition documented by J. Gordon Melton, the first Lord Shiva temple at Somnath is believed to have been built at some unknown time in the past. The second temple is said to have been built at the same site by the Yadava kings of Vallabhi around 649 CE. In 725 CE, Al-Junayd, the Arab governor of Sindh, is said to have destroyed the second temple as part of his invasions of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The Gurjara-Pratihara king Nagabhata II is said to have constructed the third temple in 815 CE, as a large structure of red sandstone. After this, the temple had been destroyed several times by Muslim invaders, but it has always been restored to its glorious past.

Importance of Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites, which is recognised as the country’s most revered, divine, and first Jyotirlinga. No doubt that the Veraval region of Gujarat is known as Siddha Kshetra due to the presence of this Jyotirlinga in this region. The historical and mythological significance of Somnath Jyotirlinga is immense. 

Another legend, according to Hindu mythology, says that the 27 daughters of King Daksha were married to the Chandra Devta (Moon God). However, Chandra Devta (Moon) loved Rohini more than his other wives. As a result, Daksha Prajapati cursed him to vanish. After that, to get relief from this curse, Chandra Devta worshipped Lord Shiva and did penance to get rid of this curse at this auspicious place. Pleased with the dedication, great penance, and devotion of Moon God, Lord Shiva relieved him from this curse. He appeared at this place to give blessings to Chandra Devta, and since then, Somnath Jyotirlinga has been consecrated here.

Also Read: Importance of Rudrabhishek Puja

Somnath Jyotirlinga region is not only famous as a Lord Shiva Temple but also for the presence of the unique temple of Shri Krishna. It is believed that Shri Krishna left the material world at this holy place to rejoin his Divine Self. Lord Shiva himself has blessed this place to be divine and miraculous. According to the Shiv Purana, Lord Shiva is omnipresent, and his presence is everywhere; therefore, he fulfils all the wishes of his devotees.

Many tourists not only come here to visit the temple or its surroundings, but also to perform pujas and yagyas to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings for their health and the growth of their family. Some of the most prominent yagyas and pujas performed here are the Rudrabhishek Yagya, the Mahamritunjaya puja, and the Lord Shiva Abhishek. So, let’s find the importance of one of these pujas. 

Importance of Rudrabhishek at Somnath Jyotirlinga

Rudrabhishek puja performed at Somnath Jyotirlinga holds great significance. Moreover, its benefits increase multi-fold when done on Pradosh tithi or Shivratri, including Mahashivratri. It is said that by participating in Rudrabhishek in Somnath Temple, your life will be enriched with peace of mind, wealth, and prosperity. By Lord Shiva’s grace, all your wishes are fulfilled, and you get success in business, along with health benefits and a long life. 

Not limited to this, the auspicious Rudrabhishek also brings in other benefits, which are as follows:

Fulfill All Your Wishes

The easiest and most efficient way to please Lord Shiva directly is the Rudrabhishek Puja. In this special puja, Lord Shiva’s Abhishek is performed by reciting Rudrashtadhyayi Mantras by the Shukla Yajurvediya method. With these rituals, Lord Shiva is pleased easily, and the boon is granted.

Good Health and Economic Benefits

Through the Rudrabhishek puja, Lord Shiva’s blessings are bestowed on you, and you also gain special economic benefits. Rudrabhishek can also help resolve job or business losses. Whether the fear of unprecedented death, or the fear of the unknown, or the suffering of any disease, is removed by participating in the Rudrabhishek Puja.

Resolution of Horoscope Doshas

As the Presiding Deity of the Navgrahas is Lord Shiva, through the Rudrabhishek Puja, all defects and malefic effects of the Navagrahas from the horoscope are removed. If you are suffering from Shani Sade Sati or Rahu Mahadasha, the negative effects of the Moon, Mars, Sun, Mercury, Venus, or Rahu Ketu, all the bad effects of the malefic planets are resolved by Rudrabhishek Puja.

Along with Rudrabhishek Puja, Pitru Sukta Path is also highly rewarding and beneficial when performed in Somnath Jyotirlinga.

Benefits of Pitru Sukta Path

Pitru Sukta Path is especially done during Shraddh. It is highly auspicious and gives favourable results. Hence, reciting Pitru Suktam in front of Lord Shiva in Somnath Jyotirlinga during the Shraddh gives relief from Pitra Dosh, and progress in life is attained by the removal of all obstacles and problems.

So, these are some of the benefits you gain when you participate in the Rudrabhishek Puja in Somnath Jyotirlinga. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Somnath Jyotirlinga holds a greater significance, whether it is about visiting the temple as a tourist place or seeking blessings of Lord Shiva through various pujas and yagya performed in this sacred place. Withholding the greater past and standing tall despite all the brutal invasions by the Mughal invaders, the Somnath Temple gives hope, courage, and aspirations to people for a greater life ahead who visit this Jyotirlinga.