Syllabus :GS 1/Art and Culture In News
Ayodhya Priest says ‘incomplete Ram Mandir’ claim is misleading, cites Somnath Temple Pran Pratishtha.
About Somnath temple
∙ It is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat.
∙ It means “The Protector of the moon god”.
∙ It is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
∙ The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni sangam (the confluence of three rivers — Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati.
∙ Mahmud Ghazni attack : Mahmud’s last major raid was on Somnath temple in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat in 1025 CE
∙ Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and Portuguese.
∙ The present temple was reconstructed in Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951.
∙ The reconstruction was completed by Vallabhbhai Patel.
∙ Mahmud of GhazniMahmud Ghazni invaded India 17 times during AD 1000–1026. Mahmud GhazniHe was Son of Sabuktigin, the founder of Ghazni dynasty & Turkish slave commanderMahmud’s raids into India were only to acquire the famous wealth of India. This wealth wouldhelp him to consolidate his vast rule in Central Asia. He did not wish to establish an empire in India.
