Backgrounder: 75 years of rebuilt Somnath temple
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
Somnath, at Prabhas Patan on Gujarat’s Saurashtra coast, is the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas. On 11 May 2026 it marked 75 years since the rebuilt temple was consecrated by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv also marks 1,000 years since the first recorded attack in January 1026.
- Location
- Prabhas Patan, Saurashtra coast, Gujarat
- Status
- first among the twelve Jyotirlingas
- First recorded attack
- January 1026
- Reopened
- 11 May 1951; consecrated by President Dr. Rajendra Prasad
- Style
- Kailash Mahameru Prasad
- Footfall
- 92 to 97 lakh devotees a year
Somnath temple and the Swabhiman Parv: what happened?
Somnath was attacked and rebuilt many times. After Independence it was rebuilt again and opened in 1951. This year the Swabhiman Parv joins two dates: the 1026 attack and the 1951 reopening.
- Restorations named: King Kumarapala (12th century), the King of Junagarh (13th century), Ahilyabai Holkar (eighteenth century).
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins in 1947 and resolved to rebuild it.
- Veer Hamirji Gohil is remembered in tradition for dying in its defence in 1299 during Zafar Khan’s invasion.
- The temple has a 150-foot Shikhar topped by a 10-tonne Kalash.
Who rebuilt Somnath over time?
- 1026: first recorded attack
- 12th century: restored by King Kumarapala
- 13th century: rebuilt by the King of Junagarh
- Eighteenth century: new temple by Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore
- 1947: Sardar Patel resolves to rebuild
- 11 May 1951: consecrated by President Rajendra Prasad
Why does Somnath temple and the Swabhiman Parv matter?
- Art and culture: Jyotirlinga, temple architecture, rebuilders.
- History: Medieval invasions and later restorations.
What can Prelims ask on Somnath temple and the Swabhiman Parv?
- Somnath: first of twelve Jyotirlingas; Prabhas Patan, Gujarat.
- Reopened 11 May 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad; style Kailash Mahameru Prasad.
- Ahilyabai Holkar built a temple there in the eighteenth century.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-05-08): somnath, first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, faced repeated invasions from 1026 and was rebuilt and reopened in 1951; the Somnath Swabhiman Parv marks 75 years.
- It preserves cultural heritage and public memory.
Quotable data pointSomnath, first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, faced repeated invasions from 1026 and was rebuilt and reopened in 1951.
PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Somnath, 8 May 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: Somnath history.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The present Somnath temple was consecrated in 1951 by
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 8 May 2026.
Which Maratha queen consecrated a new temple at Somnath in the eighteenth century?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB backgrounder, 8 May 2026.
Questions students ask about this
Who consecrated the rebuilt Somnath temple in 1951?
President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on 11 May 1951.
What is the architectural style of the present temple?
Kailash Mahameru Prasad.
What does the Somnath Swabhiman Parv mark?
1,000 years since the first recorded attack in 1026 and 75 years since the 1951 reopening.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: PIB Backgrounder: Somnath, 8 May 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending