Somnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and one of the “Dwadashjyotirlingas”, is one of the pilgrimages of the Hindus. The Light & Sound Show of Somnath Temple depicts its historical, religious and cultural importance. Somnath Temple in Gujarat is a historical temple and the Light & Sound Show presents the ups and down of Hindu religion in the history. This temple was destructed and reconstructed many times in history. As per religious scriptures, the Shiva worship is taking place here since time immemorial. There is no data what was the first time when this temple was constructed. It is said that temple was constructed second time around 649 CE. After this, it was rebuilt many times after different destruction. The present architecture was completed by Vallabh Bhai Patel in 1951.

The temple holds a great importance in the history of Hindu religion. There is a mythology according to which it is said that Som lost his lustre and started decaying due to curse of Daksh Prajapati. Daksh freed him from the curse on the request of other gods, but there was a condition that Som had to worship Lord Shiva to get back his light from him. When Lord Shiva will provide his light to Som, he will be able to regain full shape and his light in the second half of month but then decay again in the first half of month, and so on. Som did so. Puran says that Som constructed the Somnath golden temple to worship Lord Shiva every day. Lord Shiva is also known as Somnath. Shankaracharya had considered Somnath first in 12 Jyotirlingas. Jyotirlinga is a devotional representation of God Shiva which means ‘radiant sign of the almighty Shiva’.

The present temple is built according to ‘Chaulukya Style’ of architecture. It reflects the skill of the ‘Sompura Salats’, one of master masons of Gujrat. Temple has ‘sikhar’ of 15 meters in height and 8.2 meter long flag pole over this sikhar. Flag pole has trident and pellet drum attached to it. Temple is so situated that there is no land in a straight line between Somnath seashores and Antarctica, such an inscription in Sanskrit is found on ‘Banastambha’. The different other attractions near the temple are: Shiv Panchayatan, Parvati Temple, Ganesh Temple, Chhota Khambha, Triveni Sangam, Sun Temple & Nritya Mandapam.

The Light & Sound Show of Somnath Temple is known as ‘Jai Somnath’. The duration of the show is of 35 minutes. The show was launched in its new 3D version in the legendary voice of Amitabh Bachchan as the voice of ocean. The previous version of show had the magnificent voices of Amrish Puri. Laser light makes show very attractive for tourists. During the show Laser light throws light on the historic background of the temple. The description of history and mythology related to Somnath Temple is narrated in this show. As this temple is related to Hindu religion, it includes the description of Hindu mythology related to Lord Shiva. Show starts with the chant of ‘Om Namah Shivay’. The show describes the Hindu mythology of Somnath Temple related to Som, Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna and Lord Balram. It also describes the people having importance related with Lord Shiva and Hindu mythology.

The show also describes the destruction of the temple by different Muslim invaders. When Mahmud Gajni attacked the temple, many people died while trying to save the temple. This was the starting of attacks, after this many more destructive attacks on temple happened. The show briefly describes the present architecture of Somnath temple.

Location: Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, Somnath Mandir Rd, 7 km from Veraval, Gujarat- 362268. Nearest railway station to reach the temple is veraval railway station. If you are going by flight then you can go through Deev, Rajkot, Ahemdabad, Vadodara airport.

Timing of the Show: You have to be there by 8pm. The show starts at 8pm every night.

Entry Tickets: No Entry Fee