Legend has it that the Somnath Temple was originally built
out of gold by Somraj, the moon god. Then, it was rebuilt
by Ravana in silver and then again by Krishna in wood and
yet again by King Bhimdev Solanki in stone in the 10th century.
The temple was so rich that it had over 300 musicians, 500
dancing girls and even 300 barbers - just to shave the heads
of pilgrims.
Mahmud of Ghazni, upon hearing the description of the temple
by an Arab traveller by the name Al Biruni, raided the temple
in 1024 AD and after looting it, carried away camel loads
of jewels and gold.
Somnath was destroyed six times and rebuilt on every occasion.
After the 1706 AD demolition by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb,
it was rebuilt the seventh time in 1950 AD with the support
of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The temple contains one of the twelve sacred Shiva shrines
known as 'Jyotirlingas'.
|
