Frequently Asked Question

What is the architecture of the Somnath Temple like?

The current Somnath Temple is a masterwork of the Chalukya (Solanki) architectural style, also sometimes referred to as the Kailash Mahameru Prasada style. This style was the dominant form of temple architecture in Gujarat between the 10th and 13th centuries, and the decision to revive it for the 1951 reconstruction was a deliberate choice to connect the new structure to its historical precedents.

Key architectural features:

The Shikhara (spire): The main tower rises approximately 15 metres and is the dominant visual element of the temple. It is built on a curvilinear plan, tapering as it ascends, and is covered in intricate geometric and floral carvings. The Amalaka (a ribbed disc) crowns the shikhara, topped by a Kalash (pot) finial. The shikhara is flanked by smaller subsidiary towers (urdha shringa) that add depth to the skyline.

The Sabhamandap (assembly hall): A large pillared hall leading to the main shrine, where devotees gather for aarti and prayers. The columns are carved and the ceiling features geometric patterns typical of Solanki workmanship.

The Nritya Mandap (dancing hall): A secondary hall that serves as a transitional space between the outer courtyard and the main assembly hall.

The Garbhagriha (inner sanctum): The innermost chamber housing the Jyotirlinga. The space is deliberately simple inside — the power is concentrated in the lingam itself rather than the surrounding decoration.

Location and orientation: The temple faces east and stands on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The famous Baan Stambha (arrow pillar) on the temple’s seaward side bears an inscription stating that there is no land between this point and the South Pole — a striking testament to the temple’s position at the edge of the subcontinent.

The material used throughout is fine limestone, which lends itself to the highly detailed sculptural work that characterizes the Solanki style.