Somnath Festival

At a glance

The first of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Khestra in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, stands as the crossroads of devotion, history, and artistic expression.  Somnath temple stands at the shore of the Arabian Ocean on the western corner of the Indian subcontinent in Gujarat State. This pilgrimage is one of the oldest and finds its reference in ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc.

It’s said that Somraj (the moon god) first built a temple in Somnath, made of gold; this was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, by Krishna in wood and by Bhimdev in stone. It has withstood the six-repeated desecration by the Muslim invaders. The very existence of this temple is a symbol of the reconstructive spirit and cultural unity of our society. The Iron Man of India Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel is the pioneer of the seventh existing temple. The current serene, symmetrical structure was built to traditional designs on the original coastal site: it’s painted a creamy colour and boasts a little fine sculpture.

The temple is consisting of Garbhgruh, Sabhamandap and Nrityamandap with a 155 feet high Shikhar. The Kalash at the top of the Shikhar weighs 10 tons and the Dhwajdand is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference. Today the temple is one of the most visited Shiva temples and it's flocked by lakhs of tourists each month.

Deeply rooted in Shaivism, Somnath embodies the traditions of Shaiv Agama, where music and dance are not just art forms but acts of worship—bridging the divine and the mortal.In Shaivism, Shiva is the cosmic dancer, Nataraja, whose Tāṇḍava rhythm shapes the universe. The Damaru, the first drum, beats in his hands, giving birth to Swaras (musical notes), which form the basis of Bharatiya classical music.

Somnath too was never just places of worship; it was a centre of Nāṭya (dance) and Gāna (music), where spiritual experience was heightened through artistic expression. The Natya Mandap of the temple stands witness to this long-forgotten tradition

The Festival:

Somnath Festival of Dance & Music- an offering through music and dance curated by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited and IGNCA Regional Centre Vadodara aims to re-establish the temple’s ancient connection with Nāṭya and Gāna.

The first-ever festival of dance and music brings together Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan artists of India who all gather to celebrate the occasion of Maha Shivratri. From Veena to Bhajan, from Raas to Dyro; the festival promises a true offering to the Lord of the Universe on the special occasion of Maha Shivratri.

Key Features of the Somnath Festival:

Special Performances by Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan artists for 3 days and the entire night on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

A special 3-day exhibition on वाद्यम् - नादस्य यात्रा  (Vādyam - Nādasya Yātrā) "Instruments – A Journey of Sound" The exhibition Sacred Sound: Naad, Instruments, and Their Stories explores the profound relationship between sound, spirituality, and artistic expression. Rooted in the sacred traditions of India, this exhibition delves into the evolution of musical instruments, their connection with divine narratives, and their representation in visual and sculptural arts. Through carefully curated displays, the exhibition presents a journey through the material, mythological, and aesthetic dimensions of musical heritage.

“Sangam Aarti” at Triveni Ghat :  The site of Somnath has been a pilgrimage site from ancient times on account of being a Triveni Sangam: the confluence of three rivers namely Kapila, Hiran and Saraswati. A special aarti with 108 diyas is planned each day in the evening for 3 days at the site of Triveni Sangam.

Seminars on Somnath: Temple, Tirtha & Tradition (सौमनाथः मन्दिरं, तीर्थं, परंपरा च)  by Sri Somnath Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya is organised on the morning of 24^th and 25^th February 2025.

When

The Somnath Festival, held annually during Mahashivratri in February, is a prominent cultural and spiritual event. The upcoming festival is scheduled to take place from February 24 to February 26, 2025. This event will feature a variety of performances, including classical music and dance, along with conferences and other engaging activities, offering a unique blend of devotion and cultural enrichment.

Where

Somnath festival takes place in gir Somnath district at Somnath temple.

Near by Destinations

Gir National Park, Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Teerth, Devalia Safari Park.

Who Comes

The festival is visited and enjoyed by tourists from all over the India. This is one time when natives of the region and travelers along with Government administrative officers all together come along to celebrate the Somnath Festival.