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Somnath Temple |
Places which can be visited near Gir during the trip @
an Extra Cost.
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Veraval (36 KM): The Port
of Veraval is known for its dhow-building yard where massive hand-built seaworthy vessels are made. Once a port of the
Nawab of Junagadh, it has old gates and historic buildings.
Somnath (40 km): Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas
or holy abodes of Lord Shiva.The main temple is an important pilgrimage for Hindus. It is believed to have been built by the
moon-God, and renowned for its wealth and its riches. The Somnath Temple has been ransacked seven
times by foreign invaders. The Prabhas Patan Museum has interesting architectural fragments and sculptures from the ruined temples. Somnath also has Lord Krishna's cenotaph
and bathing ghats at Triveni Tirth, a medieval Sun Temple, the historic Ahilya Temple, Bakhla Tirth where Krishna is said to have met his
end, and a cave temple.
It
also has beaches and there are chances of seeing coastal birds like dunlin, curlew sandpiper, black-headed, brown-headed,
Pallas, yellow-legged and heuglin's gulls, gull-billed, Caspian, lesser crested, common, little, whiskered and river tern,
ruff, ruddy turnstone, whimbrel, curlew, red-necked phalarope, etc.
Girnar (60 km): This 3660-ft high hill rises on
the outskirts of Junagadh with temples on ridges and on the summit. The 12th century Jain Temples are especially attractive
with exquisite carvings.
Junagadh (63
km): Historically, Junagadh is one of the most interesting cities of
Gujarat. Emperor Ashoka's rock edicts here date to the 3rd century BC
and there are also ancient Buddhist cave-sites dated to the Mauryan and Gupta Fort. The Uparkot Fort of the Chudasama Rajputs
rises from a hilltop and has 11th century monuments inside the imposing battlements. Mystic poet Narsinh Mehta also lived
in Junagadh and his monument is in the city. By the 19th century, the Nawabs of Junagadh rose to become affluent rulers and
during their reign palaces, colleges, mosques, mausoleum complexes and a quaint railway station came up at Junagadh, all of
which are worth seeing specially the palace museum. The city museum has archaeological finds and manuscripts. While in
Junagadh, visit Sakkarbagh Zoological Park that is captive-breeding Asiatic lions and you could see ibises and other birds
in the park.
Jetpur (90 km): The textile town
of Jetpur is known for its block and screen
printing workshops and is good for shopping.
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Somnath Mahadev |

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Story of Someshwar Mahadev Temple:
The Someshwar Mahadev temple
stands tall among the temples of India. The construction of the present temple in Junagadh district began in 1950. It is
the seventh temple built to commemorate the glory of Lord Somnath who was known as BhAiraveshwar in the Sa(ya Yug, Shravanikeshwar in Treta Yug and Shrigaleshwar
in DwaparYug.
According to legend, Soma,
the moon God built the temple in gold, Ravan in silver, Krishna in wood and king Bhimdev
of Anhilwad in stone. Soma constructed the temple as a gesture after Lord Shiva cured him of his illness. This illness was
caused by his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati's curse. Daksha cursed him to wane as he was infatuated with Rohini and was neglecting
the other 26 wives, all 26 of whom were the daughters of Prajapati. It is said that Brahma advised him to build the temple
in honour of Shiva.
In the first phase of construction
the shikhar portion, the sanctum sanctorum and the sabha mandap (assembly
hall) were built. The nritya mandap (the dancing hall) was built later. The temple has been constructed in the Solanki style.
The pinnacle rides to a height
of 155 feet. The kalash atop the shikhar
weighs 10 tonnes. The flag- mast is 37 feet long. These details give an idea of the size of the temple. In historical
times the temple, the third to be precise, was raged to the ground by Sultan Mohmad of Ghazni. Then Sultans Allauddin and
Mohmad Begda too desecrated it.
After the Maraths took over
Gujarat Rani Ahalyabai of Indore constructed a temple near the old temple and worship is offered there ever since.
The temple is so situated
that there is no land from here to the South Pole. An arrow indicates the direction.
Dehotsarga also called Balkh Tirth where Krishna shuffled off his mortal coil
is nearby which the pilgrims should visit. The tirtha stands at the confluence of Hiranya, Saraswati and Kapila rivers. Vallabhacharya's
Baithak is also there at Prabhas Patan.
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** NOTE: DO NOTE THAT ALL CARE WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE TRIP FOR ALL GUESTS BUT WE WILL NOT HOLD
ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY MISHAPS / ACCIDENTS WHICH IF HAPPEN DURING THE DURATION OF THE TRIP.
No refund will be possible once payment is done.
Pugmarks - The Nature Club Contact: Dr. Sameer: +91-93244-94247,
Mr. Chintan: +91-93222-17949 Email: pugmarksthenatureclub@gmail.com
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