Somnath Temple: History & Significance
The history of the Somnath temple — its repeated destruction and rebuilding, and its modern 1951 reconstruction led by Sardar Patel and K.M. Munshi.
On the Arabian Sea coast at Veraval, Gujarat, stands the Somnath Temple, traditionally regarded as the first among the 12 Jyotirlingas. Its history is one of the most repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt of any temple in India.
The Name and Ancient Legend
"Somnath" combines two Sanskrit words — Soma (the moon) and Nath (lord). According to tradition, the moon god lost his radiance under a curse, and bathed in the Saraswati river here to restore it — a story also used to explain the moon's waxing and waning. The site at Prabhas Patan is described as a significant tirtha in ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, though archaeology has not yet found direct physical remains of a very early temple here.
A Documented History of Repeated Destruction
The most striking fact about Somnath's history is simply how many times it was destroyed and rebuilt:
- 1026 CE — The raid of Mahmud of Ghazni, confirmed by the 11th-century Persian historian Al-Biruni. He is recorded as having plundered enormous wealth and damaged the temple. Historians differ on whether this amounted to complete destruction or serious desecration, since the temple appears to have been repaired within about twelve years.
- 1169 — Gujarat's King Kumarapala rebuilt it in fine stone and jewels, replacing what had been a wooden structure.
- 1299 — Alauddin Khilji's general Ulugh Khan sacked it during the conquest of Gujarat.
- 1308 — Mahipala I of the Chudasama dynasty rebuilt the temple; his son installed the lingam between 1331 and 1351.
- 1395 — Muzaffar Shah I destroyed it a third time.
- 1706 — Aurangzeb ordered its destruction and conversion into a mosque.
- Around 1783 — Ahilyabai Holkar, queen of Indore, built a smaller temple nearby so that worship could continue.
The Modern Reconstruction
After India's independence and Junagadh state's accession to the Indian Union, then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel pledged to restore Somnath to its former glory. When Patel raised the idea with Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi endorsed it but suggested the funds should come from public donations rather than the state treasury — advice Patel accepted.
Following Patel's death in December 1950, the project's leadership passed to K.M. Munshi, a Union minister and chairman of the Somnath Temple Trust. The temple was rebuilt by Sompura craftsmen in the traditional Maru-Gurjara style, funded entirely through public contributions.
On 11 May 1951, the rebuilt temple's Shivling was consecrated in a ceremony attended by India's first president, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The event was also politically sensitive at the time — Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru reportedly had reservations about the President's presence at the ceremony, concerned it might be read as official state endorsement of a religious event. The episode is often cited as an early moment in independent India's debates around secularism.
Religious Significance
Somnath is traditionally listed first among the 12 Jyotirlingas, and remains one of the most revered Shiva temples in India today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was the Somnath temple destroyed?
Documented history records at least five to six major episodes of destruction or serious damage — in 1026 (Mahmud of Ghazni), 1299 (Alauddin Khilji's general), 1395 (Muzaffar Shah I) and 1706 (Aurangzeb), with reconstructions in between.
Who rebuilt the present temple, and when?
The modern reconstruction began under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's initiative and was completed under K.M. Munshi's leadership after Patel's death. It was inaugurated on 11 May 1951, in the presence of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
How was the reconstruction funded?
On Mahatma Gandhi's advice, the funds came entirely from public donations rather than the government treasury.
Which position does Somnath hold among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
It is traditionally listed as the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
What does the name "Somnath" mean?
"Soma" means the moon, and "Nath" means lord — so, "Lord of the Moon" (Shiva). The name is tied to the legend of the moon god regaining his radiance at this site.