Somnath Temple – Legends

Somnath Temple – Legends

Somnatha:

Legend goes that the moon was married to the 27 daughters of Daksha Prajapati. He was partial to Rohini, his favorite and neglected the others. An angered Daksha cursed him to wane into nothingness. A disturbed Chandra, came down to Prabhasa with Rohini and worshipped the Sparsa Linga of Somnath after which he was blessed by Shiva to grow and shine in the bright half. As the moon regained his light here, this town came to be known as Prabhasa. Hence, Lord Shiva was worshipped by the moon, and hence Shiva here is referred to as Somnatha.

References in Hindu Scriptures:

The Skanda Purana, in a chapter on Prabhasa Khanda, describes the Sparsa Linga of Somnath as one bright as the sun, the size of an egg, lodged underground. The Mahabharata also refers to the Prabhasa Kshetra and the legend of the moon worshipping Shiva.

Bhramasila:

Brahmma, one of the trinity, installed the Bhramasila, and paved way for the construction of the temple.

Builders of Somnath Temple:

According to legend, Soma, the moon God built the temple in gold, Ravana in silver, Krishna in Sandal Wood and King Bhimdev of Anhilwad in stone.

Names in different Yugas:

Lord Somnath was known as Bhairaveshwar in the Satya Yuga, Shravanikeshwar in Treta Yuga and Shrigaleshwar in Dwapara Yuga.