Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlings of India, where Lord Shiva appeared. The Somnath Temple is located on the tip of the Saurashtra peninsula, kissed by the waves of the Arabian coast. Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with the release of Moon God, Soma from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. The legend goes that Moon was married to twenty-seven daughters of Daksha. However, he favoured Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Lord Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Lord Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. It is believed that the temple was built in Gold by the Moon God, the in Silver temple by Ravana, in Sandalwood by Lord Shree Krishna, and in stone by Solanki Rajputs in the 11th century. Tales of its riches attracted a series of invasions, but each time the temple was invaded, it was restored to its original glory by devout Hindu worshipers. The modern temple built in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture is the seventh reconstruction on the original site. It was reconstructed with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on November 13, 1947. Then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, did the Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple on 11 May 1951.
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