12 Jyotir Linga Kshetram !! Somnath Temple !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Rudram Pasupathim Sthanum Neelakanda Umapathim

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Kalakandam Kalamoorthim Kalagnim Kalanasanam

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Vamadevam Mahadevam Lokanatham Jagadgurum

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Deva Devam Jaganatham Devesham Vrushaba Dwajam

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Basmodhoolitha Sarvagam Nanabarana Booshitham

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Ardhanareeswaram Devam Parvathi Prananayakam

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Gangadharam Sasidharam Shangaram Soolapaninam

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Swarga Apavarga Dhatharam Srushti Sthithyantha Karanam

Namami Shirasa Devam Kim No Mruthyum: Karishyathi

Markandeya Krutham Stotram Ya: Padeth Siva Sannidhou

Thasya Mruthyu Bayam Nasthi Na Agni Chora Bayam Kwachith

Namasivaya Sambaya Haraye Paramathmaney

Pranatha Klesha Nasaya Yoginam Pathaye Nama:

 

(Markandeya Krutha Mruthyum Jaya Ashtakam)

Sri Somanath Temple  is  one of the 12 Jyotir Linga Kshetrams/ Dwadasha Jyotir Linga Kshetras situated in India.   This temple came into existence before the Christian Era located in Prabhasa Kshetra - Saurashtra in Gujarat.  This is one of the highly revered Jyothirlinga Kshetram of Lord Shiva.   The Devotees come from every nook and corner to offer prayers to Lord Somnathji.  There is nearly 2000 Brahmin priests are engaged in the functioning of this temple and the revenue of this temple generates from the 10,000 Villages in Saurashtra, the fund generated are used for the maintenance and the daily rituals of this temple.

In the year 1025, Mohammed Ghazni invaded this city and many treasures were looted and the Architectural Masterpieces were demolished brutally.  The King of Gujarat and Malwa re-established the Grandeur of this temple its old form. Once again the city was looted by Alaf Khan in 1300 A.D. and followed the same by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the year 1706. At last, Sardar Sir Vallabhai Patel took the initiative of renovating the temple and brought back the same grandeur.

The legend has that Lord Chandra was married to two daughters of Daksha Prajapathi, Rohini and Revathi.  Though Lord Chandra married Rohini and Revathi, his love for Rohini was exceptional.  Lord Chandra had a special kind of attraction towards Rohini.  Naturally,  Revathi was isolated without any attention or affection from her husband. It made her live a dejected life in the palace of Daksha Prajapathi.  Daksha Prajapathi was under the misapprehension that his two daughters were equally loved by Lord Chandra.    Daksha Prajapathi came to know the fact from his daughters that Lord Chandra was disregarded the marriage vow and insulted Revathi without providing any kind of respect or status of a married woman.  It triggered the anger in Dakash Prajapathi, Lord Chandra who was proud of his unfailing beauty was cursed by him.    It caused Lord Chandra to reduce his glow and resulted in gradual death.   

Sage Kashyap and Sati approached Sage Markandeya to avail the Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra and save Lord Chandra from his slow death.  But things were become too complex, there was a curse already on Lord Shiva by Daksha Prajapati that no one should worship Lord Shiva.  Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu disguised as a Brahmin and worshipped Sati who was an undeniable part of Lord Shiva.  Thus, the curse on Lord Shiva was removed forever.  Sage Markandeya advised Sati the benefit of Maha Mrutyunjaya Mantra which is capable to save the devotees from the mouth of death.  Sage Markandeya and Sage Dadhichi instructed Goddess Sati to rush to Prabhasa Theertham to meet Lord Chandra with all his family.   Goddess Sati initiated the worship of Lord Shiva in the form of Linga on the Prabhasa Theertham.    Lord Shiva was pleased and the devotion and dedication of Sati and her sisters.  Finally, the curse on Lord Chandra was removed partially.  Lord Chandra prayed to Lord Shiva to remain in this sacred land to worship Him as Sri Somnath and erected a golden temple on its place. 

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!