Overview
The place acquires its name from the celebrated existence of the Somnath Temple, which is an extremely significant Hindu pilgrimage site. It is historically enriched because of the numerous destructions brought upon it by Muslim invaders. However, it was finally constructed in the Chaulukya style of architecture and was inaugurated in May 1951.
Located in Prabhash Patan in Veraval, Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, it is the first, as per Hindu customs, of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. The mythological associations have taken further shape due to its proximity to the Triveni Sangam of the three rivers, Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati. The temple is geographically unique as there is no land in a straight line between the Somnath Shore and Antarctica, according to the Sanskrit inscription on the Banastambha erected on the sea-protection wall. It further suggests that the temple's location is such that it is on the first point on land at the north to the South Pole in a particular longitude. It has been proven as the temple complex has a latitude and longitude of 20.88800 and 70.40120, respectively
