SOMNATH, Gujarat

Somnath Jyotirlinga is situated in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The name Somnath came in exsistence because it is believed that Chandra Dev (Moon) had built this temple and prayed here to get Lord Shiva's blessings. One of the name of Chandra Dev is Som and Nath means master or the one who protects, thus this place is known as Somnath.

The story of this Jyotirlinga is that Chandra Dev (Moon) prayed here to get rid of the curse given by king Daksha. King Daksha had many daughters and he loved all of them very much. He wanted all of them to get married to the same man so that they shouldnot compare each-other's husbands and feel good or bad about it. He always treated all his daughters equally. He got all of them married to Chandra. Though Chandra married all of them he had always loved Rohini, one of the daughters of Daksha. The remaining twenty six wives not only felt neglected but also insulted. Due to jeleously they went to their father and complaint about their husband. Daksha was upset to see his daughters suffer like this and he put a curse on Chandra that he would be “decrease” in size. When Chandra begged to forgive him King Daksha told him that he can get rid of the curse only if he pleases Lord Shiva. Chandra Dev came to Somanath & prayed to Lord Siva for thousands of years. Finally one day Lord Shiva appeared infront of Chandra Dev and asked him about his wish, Chandra Dev told the whole story to Lord Shiva. He begged Lord Shiva to bless him and free him from the curse given to him by King Daksha. Lord Shiva told him that he could not fully absolve him of the curse. He gave Chandra the boon that in a month, he would grow for fifteen days in one half and in the other half he would keep loosing. This is the story said for the increase and decrease in the size of the moon, producing new moon & full moon.

He was pleased with the Devas and in order to increase the prestige of the place, Lord Shiva Himself came to be known as Someshwar. The Devas established a Someshwar Kund there. By taking a holy dip in this pond or Kund, it is believed that one would obtain release from all the sins.