The history of Somnath Temple is one of the most dramatic in Indian religious history — a cycle of destruction, resilience, and rebuilding that spans more than a thousand years.
Ancient origins: According to the Shiva Purana and other scriptural sources, the original shrine at Somnath was built by Chandra (the moon god) in gold, then rebuilt by Ravana in silver, then by Lord Krishna in wood, and then by the Pandavas in stone. These are the first four temples in tradition, though no archaeological evidence of them survives.
Historical era: The first historically documented temple at Somnath was a large and wealthy structure that had attracted devotion and donations for centuries. In 1024 AD, Mahmud of Ghazni marched from Afghanistan to Somnath and sacked the temple, carrying away an estimated 6.5 tonnes of gold and 20 million dinars worth of jewels. Contemporary accounts, including those from the historian Al-Biruni, describe the scale of the looting. The temple was rebuilt soon after by local rulers.
Subsequent destructions and rebuildings: The temple was destroyed again by Alauddin Khilji in 1299, by Muzaffar Shah I of Gujarat in 1395, and by Aurangzeb in 1706. After each destruction, it was rebuilt — by the Chudasama kings, the Chaulukya dynasty, and successive Maratha rulers including Ahilyabai Holkar, who sponsored a significant reconstruction in 1782.
The modern temple: After Indian independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, then Deputy Prime Minister, championed the reconstruction of Somnath as a symbol of national pride and cultural restoration. The current structure was designed by the architect Prabhashankara Oghadbhai Sompura in the Chalukya (Solanki) architectural style. Construction began in 1947 and the temple was consecrated on May 11, 1951, by President Rajendra Prasad. The temple is now managed by the Somnath Trust.
Related: Somnath Temple — Complete Visitor Guide
