Somnath Temple is one of the holiest shrines for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. And not many are aware that a replica of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat is present in Rajasthan as well. Yes, this is the Deo Somath, Dungarpur. The temple is one of the holiest places for all the devotees of Lord Shiva. It has been made using marbles and stones. The architecture of the temple is splendid and has three huge two-storied gates in the east, west, and south directions of the temple. It is located on the banks of the Som River and serves as a sacred place for all the worshippers of Lord Shiva.
Things to Do
Deo Somnath is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and most of the people visit this temple to seek blessings from the God. Many of the architecture buffs can also visit the temple to be fascinated by its splendid architecture. Its Garbha Graha, main Mandap, and the three huge gates in the three directions make this temple a must-visit.
History
The Deo Somnath Temple has a very vivid history that makes it quite popular among the devotees. Built in the 12th century, the Deo Somnath Temple, Dungarpur is a very similar replica of the actual Somnath Temple that is located in Gujarat. It is believed that the real Somnath Temple in Gujarat was invaded and looted by so many invaders, especially during the reign of Mahmud of Ghazni. This led the devotees and followers of Lord Shiva to create its replica in Rajasthan so that it would still be there if the actual one was destroyed.
Festival
All the festivals related to Lord Shiva like Shivratri, Naag Panchami, and many others are celebrated with pomp and vigor in this temple.
Best Time to Visit
As it is a Shiva Temple, you can visit here during any part of the year but considering the weather of Rajasthan it is advisable to avoid the summer months. You can plan a visit around the winters to have the most fun. Moreover, you can also plan a visit around the Shivratri or any other festival related to Lord Shiva. Even Mondays are considered to be super auspicious to visit this temple.
How to Reach
Dungarpur is a district near Udaipur in Rajasthan and reaching there is not a very big task. If you are traveling by the train, you can get down at the Dungarpur Railway Station and take a local means to reach this temple. People coming via road can also easily commute to the temple via their own cars, hailed cabs, taxis or even autos. This temple is around 25 km away from the main Dungarpur area.
Nearby Attractions
Located around 24 km away from Dungarpur, there are many place around the Deo Somnath Temple that you can explore on your visit. Of you love old architecture and palaces, Juna Mahal and Badal Mahal are great for you. The Udai Bilas Palace and The Gaib Sagar Lake should also be explored once. Apart from that, you can also pay a visit to temples like Baneshwar Temple and Shrinathji Temple.
Things To Know
The temple is open for all tourists on all days of the week. You can come here and perform your worship of Lord Shiva whenever you feel like. Moreover, there is no entry fee for any tourists, whether you are an Indian national or coming from abroad. You should keep in mind that festivals lf Lord Shiva are celebrated on a grand scale here and be prepared to witness some crowd if you are coming here around that time.