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Old Somnath Temple

🛕 Somnath Temple Built by Maharani Ahilyabai (Presently famous as the Old Somnath Temple) The Somnath Jyotirlinga (the first Jyotirlinga) faced destruction at the hands of Mahmud Ghaznavi (1026 CE), Alauddin Khilji, the Portuguese, and finally, on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1706 CE. The temple was broken down, and worship was forcibly stopped. By the 18th century, the temple had fallen into a highly dilapidated and ruined state, and all rituals of Puja (worship) had completely ceased. In 1782 CE, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore sent her minister, Shri Krishnaji Baji, to Prabhas Patan to begin the reconstruction of the Lord Somnath Temple. However, the original temple was in completely ruins and was no longer suitable for the Pratishtha (consecration) of the deity. Therefore, a little distance away (approximately 200 meters from the present main temple), at the site of the Shankleshwar Mahadev temple, the construction of a new Somnath temple began in 1783 CE. The Pran Pratishtha (infusing life into the idol) took place in 1788 CE. Maharani Ahilyabai established Lord Somnath in the underground chamber (basement), and in the upper section, she installed a Shiva Linga named Ahilyeshwar Mahadev after herself. By completing this holy and noble work, Maharani Ahilyabai kept the ancient tradition of Somnath worship alive. In 1951, through the dedicated efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the present grand Somnath Temple was built. Because of this, Ahilyabai's temple is now referred to as the "Old" Somnath Temple. However, it remains just as sacred today, and devotees continue to visit for Darshan. This temple stands as a living symbol of Maharani Ahilyabai's deep devotion, her courage, and the revival of Hindu Dharma.

Sacred History
🛕 Somnath Temple Built by Maharani Ahilyabai (Presently famous as the Old Somnath Temple)
The Somnath Jyotirlinga (the first Jyotirlinga) faced destruction at the hands of Mahmud Ghaznavi (1026 CE), Alauddin Khilji, the Portuguese, and finally, on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1706 CE. The temple was broken down, and worship was forcibly stopped. By the 18th century, the temple had fallen into a highly dilapidated and ruined state, and all rituals of Puja (worship) had completely ceased.
In 1782 CE, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore sent her minister, Shri Krishnaji Baji, to Prabhas Patan to begin the reconstruction of the Lord Somnath Temple. However, the original temple was in completely ruins and was no longer suitable for the Pratishtha (consecration) of the deity. Therefore, a little distance away (approximately 200 meters from the present main temple), at the site of the Shankleshwar Mahadev temple, the construction of a new Somnath temple began in 1783 CE.
The Pran Pratishtha (infusing life into the idol) took place in 1788 CE. Maharani Ahilyabai established Lord Somnath in the underground chamber (basement), and in the upper section, she installed a Shiva Linga named Ahilyeshwar Mahadev after herself. By completing this holy and noble work, Maharani Ahilyabai kept the ancient tradition of Somnath worship alive.
In 1951, through the dedicated efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the present grand Somnath Temple was built. Because of this, Ahilyabai's temple is now referred to as the "Old" Somnath Temple. However, it remains just as sacred today, and devotees continue to visit for Darshan. This temple stands as a living symbol of Maharani Ahilyabai's deep devotion, her courage, and the revival of Hindu Dharma.