Who is Somnath
Somnath, meaning 'Lord of the Moon', is the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva. According to the Shiva Purana, the moon god Soma (Chandra) was cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to wane and lose his brilliance. Soma performed severe penance at Prabhasa Tirtha on the western coast of Gujarat, and Shiva appeared as a radiant linga of light, blessing Soma with periodic waxing and waning. Thus the Jyotirlinga was established and named Somnath. The Skanda Purana also glorifies this site as Prabhasa Kshetra, where Shiva resides eternally.
The temple's iconography is the linga form, representing the infinite column of light. The temple architecture is a masterpiece of Chalukya style, rebuilt several times after destruction. The current structure, reconstructed in 1951, stands on the shores of the Arabian Sea, symbolizing the eternal presence of Shiva. Somnath is associated with the moon, and its linga is said to be self-manifested (svayambhu). The temple is a major pilgrimage site, especially during Maha Shivaratri and the Somnath festival.
In Hindu cosmology, the Jyotirlinga represents the cosmic pillar of fire, connecting the earthly and divine realms. Regional traditions in Gujarat include elaborate abhishekams and the chanting of the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram. The temple records mention that it was one of the first to be built after the Gupta period, and it has been a symbol of resilience and faith. The consort of Somnath is Parvati, and his mount is Nandi. The mantra 'Om Somnathaya Namah' is chanted by devotees seeking relief from lunar afflictions and for prosperity.
Where the deity first appears
The earliest textual mention of a tirtha at Prabhasa occurs in the Mahabharata (Vanaparva, chapters 80-83), where it is described as a sacred place on the coast of Saurashtra. The Bhagavata Purana (10.79.19-20) also mentions Prabhasa as a holy site.
However, the specific identification of Somnath as a Jyotirlinga appears in the Shiva Purana (Jnanasamhita, chapter 13), which lists it as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas. The Skanda Purana (Prabhasa Khanda) glorifies the site extensively.
The temple rose to prominence in the early medieval period, with references in the works of Al-Biruni (11th century) and in inscriptions of the Chaulukya dynasty. The current structure dates from the 1951 reconstruction, but the site's sanctity is ancient.
Episodes from scripture
The Curse of Daksha and Penance of Chandra
The Jyotirlinga as the Pillar of Light
Names by which the divine is addressed
What they hold
Form, mudras, weapons & vahana
Somnath is worshipped in the form of a linga, which is a smooth, cylindrical stone representing the formless aspect of Shiva. The linga at Somnath is considered svayambhu (self-manifested) and is enshrined in the garbhagriha.
In iconographic descriptions, the linga is often depicted as a radiant column of light. The temple architecture follows the Māru-Gurjara style, with a shikhara (spire) adorned with intricate carvings.
The linga is typically anointed with water, milk, and bilva leaves during abhisheka. In South Indian bronzes, Somnath is not depicted anthropomorphically, but in North Indian miniatures, Shiva as Somnath may be shown with a crescent moon on his head.
The dhyana-shloka from the Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram describes the linga as 'Somnatham' shining like the moon. The vahana Nandi is present in the temple complex.
Philosophical interpretations
In Advaita Vedanta, Somnath as a Jyotirlinga symbolizes the non-dual Brahman, the formless absolute that manifests as the cosmic pillar of light. The linga represents the undifferentiated consciousness.
In Vishishtadvaita, the Jyotirlinga is a manifestation of Shiva as the supreme Lord, endowed with all auspicious qualities, and the temple is a place where the divine descends to bless devotees. In Dvaita, Somnath is a distinct deity, the Lord of the Moon, who grants boons and removes afflictions.
In Shaiva Siddhanta, the Jyotirlinga is a form of Shiva as the supreme soul, and worship at Somnath purifies the soul. The Skanda Purana (Prabhasa Khanda) describes the site as a moksha-kshetra, where liberation is attained.
The Tantric traditions view the linga as the cosmic phallus, representing the creative energy of Shiva. Commentators like Abhinavagupta have referenced the Jyotirlingas in their works on Kashmir Shaivism.
Sacred utterances
Vedic remediation guidance
- Mental restlessness
- Mother's health
- Emotional imbalance
- Chandra-Mangala dosha
Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga, is worshipped for lunar remediation because the deity’s very name means “Lord of the Moon,” and the Shiva Purana recounts that Soma regained his waning brilliance here after penance at Prabhasa Tirtha. Worship is most recommended when the Moon is debilitated in the 4th, 8th, or 12th house, during Sade Sati, or when afflicted by Saturn or Rahu in a dusthana, causing mental restlessness, emotional imbalance, or Chandra-Mangala dosha. The remedial pattern requires 11,000 recitations of the “Om Namah Shivaya” mantra on Mondays, preferably in Rohini, Hasta, or Shravana nakshatra, with a white flower and rice offering. Complementary observances include fasting on Mondays, wearing white, and performing abhishekam with milk and water at dawn. This practice pacifies the Moon, restores emotional stability, and mitigates maternal health afflictions.
The year of Somnath
Tīrthas & major shrines
Where to read further
Dance, music, art & literature
Somnath is a central theme in Gujarati folk songs and bhajans, especially those praising the twelve Jyotirlingas. The temple's history of repeated destruction and reconstruction has made it a symbol of resilience in Indian culture.
In classical dance, the story of Chandra's penance is sometimes depicted in Bharatanatyam and Kathak. In Carnatic music, the kriti 'Somnatham' by Muthuswami Dikshitar in the raga Kalyani praises the deity.
The temple is featured in the Pahari and Mughal miniature paintings, often showing the linga on the seashore. The site is also mentioned in the travelogues of Al-Biruni and other medieval writers.
In Southeast Asia, the concept of Jyotirlinga influenced temple architecture in Cambodia and Java, though Somnath itself is not directly worshipped there. The temple's annual festival, the Somnath Mahotsav, attracts thousands of pilgrims.