To continue with the tradition of visiting religious place on my birthday, this year I along with Niyati, visited the Somnath temple. Gir forest and Girnar Mountain were next on the itinerary. Somanth temple located in Prabhas Pattan near Verawal (Saurashtra) is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India. This Temple was destroyed many a times by various rulers and kings. Alternately, the reigning kings tried to reconstruct the temple whenever it was demolished. 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 the mythical Sarasvati).
The temple is situated at such a place that there is no land in a straight line between Somnath seashore until Antarctica, such an inscription in Sanskrit is found on the Bāṇastambha (Sanskrit: बाणस्तम्भ, lit. arrow pillar) erected on the sea-protection wall. The Bāṇastambha mentions that it stands at a point on the Indian landmass that is the first point on land in the north to the South Pole at that particular longitude.
This is one of the best temple I have visited so far, in terms of its infrastructure and maintenance. The shivling is mesmerizing...It is almost 2.5 feet tall and the base is all gold, rather the entire pravesh dwar of the temple is made of gold....Once you are inside the temple, one can feel the positive vibes flowing around the place. The temple opens at 6am and the morning arti is at 7am. We attended morning and evening aarti and the experience was just amazing. The temple has a wide campus facing the sea with convenient walking and seating arrangement. Once you step out of the temple, you see a unfathomable view of the sea. It was amazing just to sit there and keep gazing at the waves on one side and the magnificent temple on the other. Sitting there, we just surrendered to the beauty of the sea and wondered whether this is what infinity means – the deep sea and the divine!
I wish I was a writer or a painter to capture the infinity of the sea, however was content with whatever the eyes could capture.
I wish I was a writer or a painter to capture the infinity of the sea, however was content with whatever the eyes could capture.
There are 3 shivlings in the sea far from the temple(6kms away) which by paying Rs. 5 you can see them through the telescope which is kept at the temple.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad had aptly said while inaugurating the temple: "The Somnath temple signifies that the power of reconstruction is always greater than the power of destruction".
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| Triveni sangam |
Nearest Railway station is Verawal. Temple is 5kms from the station. Take a auto from the station.
Nearest Airport - Diu. (95kms from Verawal).
Tip: There is no direct train to Verawal. One has to take a shuttle from Rajkot. Travel is very cumbersome. Alternatively, You can take a train to Ahmedabad (apprx, 6hrs journey; Shatapdi departs at 06.25am from Mumbai Central). Roam around in Ahmedabad. Same day take a evening train at 10.10pm Somnath Express from Ahmedabad which reaches Verawal at 6am. From Verawal one can take a auto.
Where to Stay: Sagar Darshan Atithi Grih is a guest adjacent to the temple. One of the best thing about this guest house is all the rooms are sea facing!!!!!!...Very clean, good food, courteous staff....In short beautifully managed. Booking can be done online.
Nearby Places to visit: LaxmiNarayan temple, Parshuram Temple, Triveni Sangam, Gita Temple, Suraj Mandir, Paanch Pandav Gufa, Bhalka Temple, Jain temples
(Source: www.somnath.org; wikipedia)
Gir National Park (Sasan Gir)
Jeep Safari
Still under the effect of the aura of the temple, we were soon on our way to the Gir forest, home of the asiatic lions!
Approx. 2hr journey (67kms) from Somnath.. We stayed at the Saavaz Resort. Take the permit before you embark on the tour. You can get the permit by booking online. (www.girlion.in). These kind of trails are always exciting.
Lions can be found only in Gujarat and Africa....We had taken the permit for the Gir forest safari, however, the locals suggested that we go for a bus ride in the Devalia Park (a specific zone to provide opportunity to view lions), too.
Approx. 2hr journey (67kms) from Somnath.. We stayed at the Saavaz Resort. Take the permit before you embark on the tour. You can get the permit by booking online. (www.girlion.in). These kind of trails are always exciting.
Lions can be found only in Gujarat and Africa....We had taken the permit for the Gir forest safari, however, the locals suggested that we go for a bus ride in the Devalia Park (a specific zone to provide opportunity to view lions), too.
Devaliya Safari Park:
There is a bus tour inside the Devaliya Park. All the injured lions are kept in this park...Don't lose your heart if you don't get to see the lions in the Gir safari, you are sure to sight the lions here..roaming on the road, taking nap under the trees, relaxing on the trees!!!!!!This is like a warm up tour before you go for the Gir tour..
While chatting with driver, came to know that the locals are more protective of the lions and the forest. Their livelihood depends on the forest!!!!...the forest officials also take help from the locals as they are more aware of the habitat of the lions....We visit the forest to sight the lions and sometimes the lions come to visit the locals!!!!!!!they have been found roaming on the roads, taking siesta during the night....
The jeep safari ride was very adventurous. one of the most active part of our body organ were the EYES....The ride is approx. 3hrs through the forest. Apart from sighting the lion (if you are lucky), peacocks, deer, birds, monkeys, wild boars, the neel guy can also be seen. we were rather disheartened to not spot any lions..suddenly after an hour or so, the driver stopped the jeep and asked us to be quiet...within few seconds...two of the lioness came into the sight....to see the wild animals inside the cage and to watch it openly are two completely different experience.....We all were in awe moment,...No other animal can match the grace of walk as the lions / lioness !!!!!!!!!It is simply majestic....no wonder it is called the king of the jungle:)..For us, sighting the lions was worth the tour...
Travel: We took a cab from Somnath to Sasan Gir. (Approx. cost Rs.2000/-)
Stay: Saavaz Resor was well maintained. Good food. (Only Veg)..Courteous staff.
Girnar (Junagadh):
This was supposedly the toughest of the touring spot...9999 steps to reach to the top of the mountain!!!!!
We (I and Niyati) rather Niyati had read about this place and was wanting to visit it. I, on the other hand, wanted to show my trekking skills!!!hence showed no hesitation of climbing the steps...One of our common friend (Sushma) had recently visited this place. She gave us few tips to climb the mountain. First to start early and second to avoid heavy luggage!!Since it was the month of march, summer had already started..In order to beat the heat, we started our climb at 4am with minimal of baggage..water bottle, mobile, money purse, cap, goggles, sunscreen and napkin.... We were prepared with all stuff mentioned along with wearing our sports shoes...alongside there were old people, kids, middle aged group, who hardly had footwear!!!forget about cap, goggles!!!!!!
About the mountain:
Girnar, also known as Girinagar ('city-on-the-hill') or Revatak Pravata, is a group of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat. Older than the Himalayas, Girnar, the mountain is an important pilgrimage site for both, Jain's and Hindus, For Jain's this place is considered holy as Nirvana Kshetra and Nirvan bhumi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath & for Hindus this place is considered holy as Dattatreya stayed there.
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| pug marks!!! |
While chatting with driver, came to know that the locals are more protective of the lions and the forest. Their livelihood depends on the forest!!!!...the forest officials also take help from the locals as they are more aware of the habitat of the lions....We visit the forest to sight the lions and sometimes the lions come to visit the locals!!!!!!!they have been found roaming on the roads, taking siesta during the night....
The jeep safari ride was very adventurous. one of the most active part of our body organ were the EYES....The ride is approx. 3hrs through the forest. Apart from sighting the lion (if you are lucky), peacocks, deer, birds, monkeys, wild boars, the neel guy can also be seen. we were rather disheartened to not spot any lions..suddenly after an hour or so, the driver stopped the jeep and asked us to be quiet...within few seconds...two of the lioness came into the sight....to see the wild animals inside the cage and to watch it openly are two completely different experience.....We all were in awe moment,...No other animal can match the grace of walk as the lions / lioness !!!!!!!!!It is simply majestic....no wonder it is called the king of the jungle:)..For us, sighting the lions was worth the tour...
Travel: We took a cab from Somnath to Sasan Gir. (Approx. cost Rs.2000/-)
Stay: Saavaz Resor was well maintained. Good food. (Only Veg)..Courteous staff.
Girnar (Junagadh):
This was supposedly the toughest of the touring spot...9999 steps to reach to the top of the mountain!!!!!
We (I and Niyati) rather Niyati had read about this place and was wanting to visit it. I, on the other hand, wanted to show my trekking skills!!!hence showed no hesitation of climbing the steps...One of our common friend (Sushma) had recently visited this place. She gave us few tips to climb the mountain. First to start early and second to avoid heavy luggage!!Since it was the month of march, summer had already started..In order to beat the heat, we started our climb at 4am with minimal of baggage..water bottle, mobile, money purse, cap, goggles, sunscreen and napkin.... We were prepared with all stuff mentioned along with wearing our sports shoes...alongside there were old people, kids, middle aged group, who hardly had footwear!!!forget about cap, goggles!!!!!!
About the mountain:
Girnar, also known as Girinagar ('city-on-the-hill') or Revatak Pravata, is a group of mountains in the Junagadh District of Gujarat. Older than the Himalayas, Girnar, the mountain is an important pilgrimage site for both, Jain's and Hindus, For Jain's this place is considered holy as Nirvana Kshetra and Nirvan bhumi of 22nd Tirthankara Neminath & for Hindus this place is considered holy as Dattatreya stayed there.
Girnar has basically five peaks namely Ambaji, Gorakhnath, Guru Dattatraya, Oghad Ansuya and Kalka. First halt is at about 4500 steps and 3100 feet at Jain temples. Then at 5000 steps comes the Amba Mata Temple. Then comes the Gorakhanath Peak 3666 ( 6000 steps) feet which is highest point in Gujarat state. After climbing 2000 steps downwards and again 2000 steps upwards comes Lord Dattatreya (little lower than Guru Gorakhnath) temple having his footprints ( padukas) inscribed (9999 steps). Finally the Devi Kalika peak which has very difficult approach and has no step way, but worth watching.
We started to climb at four in the morning determined to make it to the Datt Shikhar and climb as much as possible before the sun and the heat rises. We reached the temple of Neminathji at just the day break and it was amazing to view the grand idol in the light of lamps and just slight day light. From there, soon we reached the Ambaji temple at further 800 steps.
The climb was strenuous but there are many stalls on the way to get some refreshments. However, it was the energy of the place and the power of the great souls that wandered those valleys years and years ago that kept us going more than anything else. From Ambaji temple, the further climb and terrain towards the Datt Shikhar changes completely. The steps become steeper, narrower and long winding and the ascent becomes more and more difficult with only stone valleys on both the sides. While climbing to the Datt Shikhar the only thought in mind was that we have to go back all this way too! We kept on reminding ourselves that the power that was propelling us to climb and go higher and further, will ensure that we come down safely too. We reached the Datt Shikhar at about 10 in the morning. The temple is very small with an idol of Lord Dattatreya and the padukas. We spent a few moments there feeling gratitude and joy that it was Lord’s calling that we could reach there.
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| Temple in blue color right at the top |
The climb downwards was too tiring. Last 2000 steps we just dragged ourselves. Our happiness knew no bound when we reached the base of the mountain!!!!!!!Finally we did it:)
We thought we will not be in a position to walk the next day but we were fit enough to travel back home and that can only be attributed to the great powers of Girnar. What a vortex of energy! Even while remembering and writing about this experience, we can feel the same energy running in our veins.
Stay: Bhagyodaya Palace. Situated 200mts away from the base of the mountain. Nice place, good food. Helpful staff.
A wonderful trip with deep sea, high mountains, dense forests and majestic lions had came to an end. We remembered one of the guides at Gir Forest saying, don’t keep looking for lions everywhere, once you stop doing that they will appear in front of you when most unexpected, we wondered whether that was true for most things in life too!
