Veneshwar Mahadev Temple Junagadh,Gujarat

Veneshwar Mahadev Temple is a hindu temple located in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat.

Veneshwar Mahadev Temple is situated in the Prabhas Patan area of ​​Somnath, where Lord Shiva had absorbed his devotee within himself to protect him from the Islamic invader Mahmud Ghaznavi and by whose name Mahadev was called Veneshwar. Even today, evidence of this amazing incident is found in the Veneshwar Mahadev Temple because the Shivalinga installed here can be seen divided into two pieces.

History
The first revered Somnath among the twelve Jyotirlingas is also situated in this Prabhas Patan area. This place is of mythological importance and there are many temples located here, which definitely have some mythological history. This place also became a victim of Islamic invaders many times. Construction work was done several times in Veneshwar Mahadev Temple and the temple was also renovated, hence there is no concrete information available about the construction of this temple. This temple was present during the invasion of Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025, hence it is estimated that the history of this temple is more than 1,000 years old.

The time was 1025. Mahmud Ghaznavi had come to India with the intention of looting Somnath. Due to the splendor of Somnath, this area often remained the target of Islamic invaders. When Mahmud Ghaznavi proceeded to plunder Somnath, he faced a tough competition from the local Rajput ruler of Somnath. The Rajput rulers were not ready to surrender under any circumstances. Mahmud Ghaznavi seemed helpless in front of the courage of the ruler engaged in the protection of Somnath and his dream of plundering Somnath also seemed unfulfilled. In such a situation, he adopted his same fanatical Islamic tendencies.

Mahmud Ghaznavi planned to kidnap Princess Veni, the daughter of a Rajput ruler. Mahmud Ghaznavi’s plan was to put pressure on the king by kidnapping the princess. Princess Veni was considered to be an ardent devotee of Shiva and used to go to the temple of Lord Shiva located outside Prabhas Patan Fort every day to worship him. When Mahmud Ghaznavi and his Islamic army tried to kidnap Princess Veni, Veni locked herself inside the same temple and prayed to Lord Shiva to protect her. It is said that on that day Lord Shiva performed a miracle which was probably never seen before. After listening to the prayer of Princess Veni, the Shivalinga installed in the temple got divided into two parts and absorbed Princess Veni inside itself.

This history related to Princess Veni is described in a novel written by the great litterateur KM Munshi. From that day onwards, Lord Shiva in this temple was called Veneshwar Mahadev in the name of his exclusive devotee. Lord Shiva not only protected his devotee but also made him immortal. Traces of Veni can still be seen in the Shivalinga of this temple.