Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple is a symbol of a Thousand-Year Saga of Destruction, Renewal and Civilisational Continuity. Read here to know the history of the temple.

The Prime Minister’s reference to 1,000 years since the 1026 CE attack by Mahmud of Ghazni has renewed attention on the Somnath Temple, one of India’s most powerful symbols of civilisational resilience.

Often described as the “Eternal Shrine”, Somnath temple represents not merely a religious structure but the continuity of faith, culture, and political will across a millennium of upheavals.

Somnath Temple

Somnath is situated at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region, along the Arabian Sea coast, at the Triveni Sangam of the Kapila, Hiran, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

It is revered as the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, making it one of the most sacred Shaivite sites in Hindu tradition.

Don't miss ClearIAS updates: Add ClearIAS as a preferred source on Google Add →

Ancient belief holds that the Jyotirlinga signifies the infinite cosmic pillar of Shiva, symbolising creation, preservation, and dissolution.

Ancient Origins: Somnath Temple Before the Medieval Age

• References to Somnath appear in the Shiva Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Mahabharata traditions, indicating ritual worship from antiquity.
• Early historical records suggest that the temple was patronised by Mauryas, Guptas, and Maitrakas, though precise archaeological dating remains debated.
• Somnath functioned as a religious, economic, and cultural centre, enriched by maritime trade along Gujarat’s coast.

The 1026 CE Attack by Mahmud of Ghazni

The most cited rupture in Somnath’s history occurred in 1026 CE, when Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Gujarat and attacked the temple.

• Mahmud’s campaign combined political ambition, economic plunder, and religious symbolism.
• Contemporary Persian chronicles describe the temple as extremely wealthy, attracting repeated invasions.
• The destruction shocked the subcontinent and entered historical memory as a defining moment of cultural trauma.
• Importantly, the site was not abandoned, marking the beginning of Somnath’s long cycle of destruction and renewal.

Medieval Cycle of Destruction and Reconstruction

Somnath temple was not destroyed once but multiple times, reflecting the contested nature of political authority in western India.

Major Phases:

• 12th century: Rebuilt under Chalukya ruler Kumarapala, a patron of Shaivism.
• 1299 CE: Damaged during Alauddin Khalji’s campaigns.
• 14th-15th centuries: Reconstructed by Chudasama rulers, later damaged under Sultanate rule.
• 1665 CE: Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ordered the demolition, replacing it with a mosque.

Historical records indicate that the temple was destroyed and rebuilt at least six times, each reconstruction reinforcing its symbolic importance rather than erasing it.

Architectural Features of the Somnath Temple

The present temple reflects the Chaulukya (Solanki) style of architecture, characterised by:

• A towering shikhara rising over 50 metres
• Finely carved stone panels depicting Shaivite motifs
• A majestic garbhagriha housing the Jyotirlinga

A notable inscription (the Bana Stambha) claims that from Somnath’s southern arrow, there is no landmass until the South Pole, symbolising cosmic alignment and the temple’s geographical imagination.

Colonial Period: Somnath as a historical monument

• British-era historians and administrators often treated Somnath as a historical monument, avoiding religious reconstruction.
• However, Indian nationalists increasingly viewed it as a symbol of cultural self-respect and historical continuity.
• K.M. Munshi and other leaders argued that rebuilding Somnath was essential for post-colonial civilisational confidence.

Post-Independence Reconstruction (1947-1951)

Role of National Leadership:

• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel championed reconstruction, calling it a moral duty of a free nation.
• Reconstruction began in 1947, soon after independence.
• Architect Prabhashankar Sompura employed traditional temple-building techniques using stone masonry.

Political Debate:

• Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed official state involvement, fearing communal implications.
• Despite differences, the project continued through public trust mechanisms.

Inauguration:

• On 11 May 1951, the rebuilt temple was inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President.
• He described the event as a moment of national self-respect rather than religious revivalism.

Somnath Trust

• The temple is administered by the Shri Somnath Trust, currently chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
• Somnath today functions as:
  • A major pilgrimage centre
  • A heritage and tourism hub
  • A symbol of India’s civilisational continuity

Conclusion

The history of the Somnath Temple is not merely about destruction; it is about rebuilding, remembrance, and resilience. Over a thousand years, Somnath has survived invasions, regime changes, ideological shifts, and political debates, yet continues to stand as a living place of worship. In this sense, Somnath embodies the enduring continuity of Indian civilisation itself.

Related articles:

• Famous temples in India
• Hindu temple architecture: Chalukyas
• Temple architecture and sculpture