Context:
Somnath Trust is hosting a live Lord Shiva darshan at the Rann Utsav in Kutch.
Somnath temple:
- Location – Gujarat coast along the Arabian Sea
- Believed to be the 1st jyotirlinga (devotional shrine of Lord Shiva).
- Mentioned in Rigveda.
- Has been rebuilt 7 times.
- Type of architecture – Chalukya architecture
- Considered to be a Triveni Sangam (confluence of 3 rivers – Kapila, Hiran & Sarasvati)
- Raided by Mahmud Ghazni (1024), attacked by Delhi Sultanate (1297 and 1394) and Aurangzeb (in 1706).
Other 11 Jyotirlingas – Mallikarjuna (Andhra Pradesh), Mahakaleshwar, and Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh), Vaidyanath (Jharkhand), Nageshwar (Gujarat), Kedarnath (Uttarakhand), Grishneshwar, Bhimashankar, and Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu), Kashi Vishwanath (Uttar Pradesh).
Chalukya architecture:
- Zenith during Badami Chalukya dynasty.
- Stone used – Soapstone
- Evolution of a new style of architecture known as Vesara (combination of Nagara Style and Dravida Style)
- Established temples at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal in Bagalkot.
- Characteristic features –
- Monolithic Temple Pillars
- Decorated Doorway Panels
- Arabesque Art Design (a double-curved projective eave. E.g. Muktesvara temple, Badami)
- Chhajja, Cornice
- Stellate Plan Usage
- Horseshoe base
- Gadag Style Pillars
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
The then-President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.
