The Somnath temple is a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra, Gujarat.
Significance: It is considered the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, making it one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
History: The temple has a long and glorious history, dating back to at least the 2nd century BC.
It has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history.
Most notably by Mahmud of Ghazni in the 11th century and again by Mughal emperor
Aurangzeb in the 17th century.
The current structure was built in 1951 using the Chalukya style of architecture.
Architecture: The temple is built on a high plinth overlooking the Arabian Sea.
It is a two-story structure with a sanctum sanctorum that houses the black stone Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
The temple walls are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures depicting various Hindu deities and mythological scenes.
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