2025-05-03 Sat

Believed to be the first among the twelve #jyotirlinga shrines of #LORDSHIVA, #Somnath #Temple is a sacred #Hindu #pilgrimage site or a Tirtha Kshetra in #Prabhas #Patan (a place of splendor), #Veraval (#Gujarat) . The temple is located at #Triveni Sangam, a sacred confluence where the #Kapila, #Hiran, and #Saraswati rivers meet, at the coast of #Saurashtra.

In 1950-51, under archaeologist BK Thapar, the #ArchaeologicalSurveyofIndia (#ASI) conducted #excavations at the site, uncovering the floor plan and remnants of a temple that dates back to pre-1000 CE.

Historically, the temple has experienced numerous attacks and instances of looting by various invaders and rulers, the most notable being #mahmud #Ghazni in the 11th century. Consequently, it has been reconstructed several times. The current structure of the Somnath Temple was rebuilt in 1951 in the #MaruGurjara architectural #style, also known as #Solanki #architecture, which is characterized by intricate carvings, elaborate ornamentation, and a unique spatial organization. This reconstruction was undertaken under the direction of #Sardar #VallabhbhaiPatel.

On October 10, 1967, the #India Post issued a definitive #stamp prominently featuring this holy temple, at a face value of 60 paise.