Purana Somnath/Ahilyabai Temple /Old Somnath Temple (Ahilyabai Holkar Temple) Prabhas Patan,Junagadh,Gujarat
Old somnath temple and also known as ahilya bai holkar temple)
Located just outside the main Somnath temple, this temple is considered to be the old Somnath temple. This was built by rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. This is situated in the basement so that the Muslim invaders could not trace it. This Shivalinga is also very good and you can perform puja here. Opposite of the New Somnath Temple, it is a pink, painted structure that has played witness to the colourful history of this land. In the seventeenth century this temple came under the rule of the Marathas. Mata Ahilyabai Holkar was deeply moved by the ravaged state of the temple and took on herself the task of reconstructing it. It is also said that the location of the swayambhulinga came in Ahilyabai’s dreams post which she started the construction immediately. Many Hindus believe that this temple contains the original jyotirling which was buried assuming that the original temple would be raided. Unlike the new Somnath Temple, everybody is allowed to enter the garbagriha and perform pooja with the help of the local priest. The aarti offered here is accompanied by multiple musical instruments including damroos and makes for a tantalising experience.
Located just outside the main Somnath temple, this temple is considered to be the old Somnath temple. This was built by rani Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore. This is situated in the basement so that the Muslim invaders could not trace it. This Shivalinga is also very good and you can perform puja here. Opposite of the New Somnath Temple, it is a pink, painted structure that has played witness to the colourful history of this land. In the seventeenth century this temple came under the rule of the Marathas. Mata Ahilyabai Holkar was deeply moved by the ravaged state of the temple and took on herself the task of reconstructing it. It is also said that the location of the swayambhulinga came in Ahilyabai’s dreams post which she started the construction immediately. Many Hindus believe that this temple contains the original jyotirling which was buried assuming that the original temple would be raided. Unlike the new Somnath Temple, everybody is allowed to enter the garbagriha and perform pooja with the help of the local priest. The aarti offered here is accompanied by multiple musical instruments including damroos and makes for a tantalising experience.
