Somnath

Somnath in Gujarat is a pleasant synthesis of calm beaches and religious sites. 'Soma' translates to Moon God, and 'Somnath' translates to the protector of the Moon God. There are some famous pilgrimage sites in the city which attract thousands every year. The region has a rich history and heritage, and tourists arrive to taste the culture and peace associated with Somnath.

History of Somnath

History of the Somnath takes us to the era when Moon God marries 27 daughters of Daksh. But he loved only one of them, which upsets the others, and they take the matter to Daksh. Angry Daksh puts a curse on the moon, according to which he wanes. Moon God then constructs a Shivlinga at Prabhas teerth to pray to Lord Shiva for help and forgiveness. Shiva removes his curse but only partially and hence causing the periodic waning of Soma.

According to Mahabharata, Somnath was the scene of the Yadava race massacre and the subsequent death of the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, Krishna. Patan, a port on the old site, is now shadowed by the adjacent port of Veraval.

It is said that a Chalukya ruler named Mularaja built the first temple here, and since then, there has been a long history of reigns changing hands. The temples at Somnath also suffered damage during Muslim invasions, and later it was reconstructed. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that this place has the first jyotirlinga shrine of Lord Shiva, and thus it serves as a holy site for pilgrimage.

Things to Do and Major Attractions

Somnath Beach provides you with some of the most peaceful beaches in this part of India. While you cannot enjoy a swim here, you can sit back and relax while you enjoy the view. The Somnath Temple is possibly the most popular attraction of the city, and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Triveni Sangam Temple, Laxminarayan Temple, Parshuram Temple, and Suraj Mandir are some of the other important temples in Somnath. Prachi Teerth, Bhalka Teerth, and Dehotsarg Teerth are some of the religious sites which are frequently visited by tourists for pilgrimage purposes.

Somnath is also famous for Chorwad Beach, which offers another stretch of calm and quiet beaches. Tourists must also check out the Panch Pandav Gufa, a cave where the Pandavas took shelter according to the Mahabharata.

People and Culture of Somnath

Since Somnath is a place of several ancient temples, the population here mainly consists of Hindus. They are traditional, religious, and friendly towards tourists. They speak Gujarati and Hindi languages but also have an understanding of English. The most important festival in Somnath is the Somnath Mahadev Fair which is held during November and December. Maha Shivratri is another popular event in this region.

Local Food and Popular Shopping Items

You will find that most of the city enjoys vegetarian food, and the cuisine is predominantly Gujarati. However, there is also an availability of seafood in some restaurants since it is located by the sea. The Somnath Market is a popular shopping destination, and here you can pick up some items such as wall hangings, marriage costumes and quilts, cradle clothes, and many other things.

Best Time to Visit Somnath

The best time to visit Somnath is from September to March. But, if you plan to evade the crowds, you can visit during the summer months. Embrace yourself for a cold winter if you visit during that time.

Availability of Accommodation Type

Since thousands of tourists crowd this place throughout the year, there are plenty of options for accommodation. From the budget-friendly and economic choices such as The Divine Resort and Om Rudra, there are luxurious living alternatives like Hotel Heritage and The Fern Residency.