History of Somnath Temple: How Many Times It Was Destroyed and Rebuilt

Somnath Temple: The Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a world-renowned temple located in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat, near the Arabian Sea. The grandeur and significance of this temple are mentioned in the Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagavat, and Skanda Purana. The Moon God (Chandra Dev) is also known as Som, and as per legend, he worshiped Lord Shiva at this very place; hence, the temple was named “Somnath.”.

The Unique Architecture of Somnath Temple

It is said that the Shivling in the original Somnath Temple was suspended in the air, making it a marvel of architectural brilliance. According to historians, the temple’s design utilized magnetic forces to keep the Shivling levitating. When Mahmud of Ghazni saw this unique phenomenon, he was left astonished.

Early Existence and First Destruction

The existence of Somnath Temple dates back to the pre-Christian era. The first recorded reconstruction of the temple was in 649 AD by the Maitraka rulers of Vallabhi. However, in 725 AD, the temple was first destroyed by Al-Junaid, the Muslim governor of Sindh. Later, Pratihara King Nagabhata rebuilt the temple in 815 AD.

Mahmud of Ghazni’s Attack (1024 AD)

In 1024 AD, Mahmud of Ghazni led an invasion with 5,000 soldiers, looting the immense wealth of the temple and completely destroying it. Thousands of unarmed devotees were killed while trying to protect the temple. After the attack, King Bhimdev of Gujarat and King Bhoja of Malwa took the initiative to reconstruct the temple. By 1093 AD, Siddhraj Jaysingh also contributed to its rebuilding.

Further Destruction by Delhi Sultanate

The temple faced repeated attacks in later centuries:

• 1297 AD: Alauddin Khilji’s general Nusrat Khan attacked Gujarat and plundered the temple again.
• 1395 AD: Sultan Muzaffar Shah of Gujarat demolished the temple once more and looted its offerings.
• 1412 AD: Ahmed Shah, son of Muzaffar Shah, repeated the same act.

Aurangzeb’s Brutality (1665 & 1706 AD)

During the Mughal era, the temple was destroyed twice by Aurangzeb:

• In 1665 AD, he ordered its destruction.
• When he saw that Hindus still came to worship at the site, he sent military forces to massacre the devotees.
• In 1706 AD, he attacked the temple once again, attempting to wipe out its existence.

Maratha Restoration and Ahilyabai Holkar’s Efforts

When the Marathas gained control over a major part of India, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built a new Somnath temple in 1783 AD, near the original temple site, ensuring that worship continued.

Reconstruction After India’s Independence

After India’s independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took the initiative to rebuild the original temple. In 1950, reconstruction began in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad style. The new temple was inaugurated on December 1, 1995, by President Shankar Dayal Sharma, officially dedicating it to the nation.

Despite being destroyed six times, Somnath Temple has always risen from the ashes, standing as a symbol of faith, devotion, and resilience. Today, it remains one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India.