Upcoming Somnath Trip

Initially I was supposed to travel Patna-Bihar this weekend as ConnectIT Workshop has been scheduled in Patna at the end of this month. I am not travelling Bihar this time as I’ve given commitment earlier to attend Teachers development program for Agakhan Institution which is scheduled in Somnath – Gujarat. This is consecutive second time I am not able to conduct Patna workshop but I wish all the best to all participants for best experience in IT seminar.

Attending the Teachers development program where I am supposed to take sessions, these are not IT sessions; the sessions are related to educational content overview. I am also mentoring the candidates towards excellence. I will be in Somnath for almost 10 days from 24th May although this is not my first time visit of Somanth. Somnath is just about 35 KMs away from my home and I usually visit Somnath numbers of time in a year as it is a tourist place.

Somnath History:

Somnath Temple & Sea Shore

The Somnath Temple is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India, is one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of the God Shiva. Somnath means "The Protector of the Moon God". The Somnath Temple is known as "the Shrine Eternal"; having been destroyed six times and rebuilt six times Somnath is a pilgrimage town. According to the legend, Soma or the Moon God built the temple in gold, Ravana in silver, and Shri Krishna in wood. Soma was cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to wane because Soma loved only one of his wives, all of whom happened to be Daksha's daughters. His other wives complained about this negligent behavior of Soma to their father Daksha, and thus the curse. He then built a Shivlinga at the Prabhas tirth (a Hindu pilgrimage) and prayed to Lord Shiva who removed the curse partially because asked upon by Soma's one wife (the one that he loved more than others). Thus, causing the periodic waning of moon. Pleased by the prayers Soma (Moon god), Lord Shiva decided to rest in that Lingam till eternity, and thus the Jyotirlingam. (Wikis)

People around world visit Somnath for Darshan. Somnath is also famous for its Sea beach as it is laid at the bank of Arabian Sea. You might have seen Somnath in ‘Khshboo Gujarat Ki’ ad film by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan! There are several ways to reach Somnath; State Highway 26 connects GIR Jungle and Somnath. You can travel along Sasan-Gir if you are in GIR Jungle. Generally people use this route after visit Asiatic lion’s habitat. The other way is Veraval-Kodinar highway if you are travelling from Junagadh or Veraval city along to Prabhas Patan or else if you are coming from opposite direction Bhavnagar, Una or Kodinar! There is several By-Passes way need to keep in mind! If you are travelling from Rajkot along to Junagadh and keshod or else from GIR, take left when you reach Veraval by-pass for Somnath and drive straight until you reach Kodinar By-Pass now you are almost 2 KMs away from Somnath.

You can find various hotels and resorts around Somnath area. Select according to your need and Budget. I am staying at Hotel Safari Resort near Kodinar By-Pass.

How to reach Somnath:

You can travel by train up to Veraval and then by road 30 minutes driving. Buses, Cabs, Auto Rickshaws are easily available. Few trains like intercity express and Jabalpur-Somnath express are running up to Somnath station.

Visit other tourist favorite spots if you are visiting Somanth: Diu (U.T) 2 hours driving from Somnath – Sasan Gir 1 and half hour driving. There are many bounded Jungle ranges across GIR, Jamvala forest, Devaliya lion sanctuary etc. You may have thrilling experience if you stay overnight in these jungles!

Not a long travelling, long trip indeed!