Somnath and Mallikarjuna Temples: 12 Jyotirlingas (Part 2)

Believed to be the first among the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, the Somnath Temple is one of the most important centers for pilgrimage and tourism situated near the meeting point of three rivers i.e., Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati rivers in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Locally known as ‘Deo Patan’, it has also been popular as ‘The Eternal Shrine’ because of its reconstruction several times after being repeatedly destructed by Muslim Rulers and invaders. Current architecture being of Chaulukya style constructed after the orders of the then Home Minister of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, according to Hindu Ithihas it is believed that Somraj ( the moon god) built a gold temple in Somnath after being cursed of losing his lustre. He bathed in the Saraswati River at this site to regain it and worshipped Lord Shiva due to which this shrine got its name as Somnath meaning ‘Lord of the Soma (Moon)’.

The large, black Shiva lingam at its heart is the most sacred Jyotirlinga and the principal deity of this shrine. Though it is open for worship throughout the year, the best time to visit is in the cooler months of October to February, when the festivals like Mahashivratri and Kartik Purnima (close to Diwali) are celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. The Somnath Mandir Trust is currently being chaired by Hon. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

Classified as one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalam, the temple is situated in the Srisailam town of Andhra Pradesh where Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mallikarjuna. The principal deity which is a lingam is bathed with the water of Krishna River which is locally known as ‘Patal Ganga’. To reach out to this river, one has to go 852 stairs down from the main complex of this shrine.

As per the mentioning in Puranas, it is believed that once when Shiva and Parvati (his consort) decided to find suitable brides for their sons, Shiva got Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity) married to Lord Ganesha. Kartikeya, the elder son of Lord Shiva, on his return was enraged and went away to stay alone on Kraunja Parvat in the name of Kumarabrahmachari. On seeing his father coming over to pacify him, Kartikeya tried to move to another place but he stopped and stayed close by after request by the Devas and so, because of the inhabitation by Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, this place got its importance as Srisailam.

The naming of this deity has a special history mentioned in the Hindu Ithihas. It is believed that the presiding deity was worshipped with jasmine (locally called in Telugu as Mallika), leading to its naming as Mallikarjuna. Mahashivratri is the most important festival here, along with Dasara Sarannavartrulu, which is celebrated during the nine days of Navratri, teaching us the importance of ‘Shakti’ in this universe.