Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE SHIVA TEMPLE OF SOMNATH
The Lion Safari Camp dining room was empty at breakfast since everyone else was out
on game drives. We left Sasangir National Park and began the ride to Somnath, with its
Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The very important of Temple of Somnath has been re-
built four times, the last time in 1950. Legend has that Lord Shiva's Lingam is located in
Somnath.
What is a Lingam,
also known as "linga or shivling"? It is the male organ of re-
production, i.e. penis, phallus, and since it is Lord Shiva's phallus, worshipped in all Shiva
temples across India. Another reason the lingam is
sacred
? Because it signifies rebirth after
Lord Shiva destroys a person. (Shiva is the destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu
pantheon.) Somnath Temple is also associated with the moon god, that is also associated
with Shiva, that is also associated with the mythological Saraswati... Are you lost yet? Only
a Hindu can follow the approximately
330 million gods and goddesses
. Don't even try!
The important pilgrimage place of Somnath temple is located at the shore of the Arabian
Sea, in Gujarat State. Walking from the car park to the temple, we were inundated by the
first, and last, beggars
during the entire trip throughout Gujarat
. A mere bagatelle by
Mumbai/Kolkata standards. Lines of stalls lined the area with people selling marigolds, and
other worshiping items.
No cameras, shoes or mobile phones
are allowed inside Somnath
Temple, or past a certain spot, on the approach to the temple. You must check them before
that point at a free counter, where they'll give you a ticket to redeem after your visit.
Before attempting to go through the metal detectors and getting patted down, make sure
you are properly dressed - no shorts, shoulders covered. One line is for women, another for
men, before entering around the inside to view Lord Shiva's sacred lingam (penis). I don't
care for new temples, and found Somnath Temple underwhelming.
What did entice me was the big globe outside on the beach.
