Travel | Somnath Temple in Gujarat, immersed in God's word Part - 5

Continued from Part 4
'Prayers does not change God, but it changes him who prays.' ~ Kierkegaard. This eternal shrine of Somnath in Gujarat was destroyed six times and was rebuilt with more  vigour and devotion every single time. The first temple was supposed to be built before the beginning of Christian era. The present temple is the seventh temple on the original site of Somnath which was completed in 1995.

There is a trust called Shree Somnath Trust which takes care of temple complex.

I haven’t read many scriptures on Indian mythology and all I know is that the 12 Jyotirlings of utmost spiritual importance in India are pillars of lights where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. These Lings also represents the endless universe which has no beginning and no end, symbolizing the infinite nature of lord Shiva. Somnath is one such ancient Lings in Gujarat. 

There are several boarding options available from the trust around the temple which can be booked online. We were so fortunate to get this accommodation with the reference of my brother. I could not have ask for more from our entire trip than getting a chance to stay in this magical hotel.  
Yes, our room was right next to the temple complex with the balcony sharing the same boundary overlooking the gorgeous Somnath.


The rooms are very  basic with temple complex at one end and Arabian sea on the other. What took me with surprise was the prominent sign board in yellow and black in our room which said ' Photographing temple from the rooms are stickily prohibited'...there it goes..Kaput....



I spoke to one of the staff members and convinced him that I won't be using the pictures for any commercial reasons.
I clicked a few pictures of the temple and sea shore and loved spending most of my time just sitting in the balcony, watching the waves kissing the shores of temple.
Daughter clicked a few pictures of moi in pensive mood....

We were there at the temple at 6 AM to watch the morning prayers and the rituals of decorating the Lings and performing Abhisheks with milk, curd, honey, turmeric and Ghee.
Then begins the Aarti or prayers, singing and chanting hymns in praise of lord in chorus. The entire process was mesmerizing and an act of getting closer to the creator. 

There is light and sound show every evening which starts around 7 PM.
All the pictures are taken from my room. I may not be able to divulge the name of the hotel for the obvious reasons....

 
Where sky, water and Earth meet.....


Another view from my balcony....a sit out in the temple complex from where you can watch the light and sound show in evening or just be with sea.



The hotel is overlooking the Arabian sea and the beach is right in front of the entrance. On the beach after a light lunch of Gujarati Thali.

 
Clicked this picture from the corridor while getting down to watch sunset on the right beach opposite our hotel.


Children and hubby, one with nature.....



Joy is a feeling....children spent some of the best times playing, talking and walking around the beach with their daddy.

An evening on the beach watching sunset, walking, cherishing my time alone and trying to find my answer to life which gets more elusive the older I get. 

On Ahmedabad airport waiting for the flight, reminiscing about the good times and planning for the next travel....
The thrill of being in the unknown place, talking to nameless yet friendly faces and challenging yourself to adapt to uncomfortable environs is what makes traveling a complete experience.

I am not sold to the idea of traveling outside India yet, and how can I, when I haven’t seen even one fourth of my country after years of traveling…and when there still is so much to discover.

PS; Travel during the month of May-June in Gir forest or most parts of Gujarat is strictly recommended for the adventure seekers and is best avoided by those looking for comforts in their trip.

This is my entry to 'The perfect road trip' on IndiBlogger.

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