In the middle of the town is the Dwarkadhish Temple, which was built in the 16th century. Dwarkadish is another name of Lord Krishna that means the "Lord of Dwarka". The five-storey high temple is built on seventy-two pillars. The temple spire is 78.3m (235 feet) high. From the temple dome waves an eighty-four foot long multicolored flag decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon. Lord Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, is said to have built the original temple of Dwarkadhish over the hari-griha (Lord Krishna's residential place). The sanctum of the temple is formed by the Jagat Mandir, or Nija Mandir, which dates back at least 2500 years. The Jagat Mandir has a tall tower and a hall of audience. There are two entrances to the temple. The main entrance (north entrance) is called "Moksha Dwara" (Door to Salvation). This entrance leads to the main market. The south entrance is called "Swarga Dwara" (Gate to Heaven). Outside this doorway are 56 steps that lead to the Gomati River.

Nageshwar is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlingas. It is located near the holy city of Dwarka in Gujarat. Krishna the King of Dwarka worshipped at this shrine.

Nageshwar is the Lord of the Cobras. This refers to the cobra that is permanently ensconced around Shiva’s neck. Therefore, not surprisingly, this Jyotirlinga offers protection from all poisons and praying at the Nageshwar Linga leads to a poison-free mind and body.

Normally lingams are made from black stone and resemble pillars rounded at the top. The lingam at Nageshwar is, however, unique. It is made from a stone known popularly as Dwarka Stone, which has small wheel imprints on it. The lingam is shaped like a three-faced oval Rudraksha, which literally means the tears of Shiva.

The lingam has a “gomugam”, which collects the milk and water ablutions and canalizes them away. Usually the lingam and gomugam face in the same direction, but not so in the Nageshwar temple. Initially both faced east according to legend. Once a devotee named Namdev was singing hymns in front of the lingam. The other devotees were obstructed and asked him to move aside. Namdev then stood to the south of the lingam. To the astonishment of everyone only the lingam turned south to face Namdev, while the gomugam continued to point eastwards.

The Legend

In the Rudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana, Nageshwar is addressed as “DarukavaneNagesham”. This refers to the legend of Supriya. Supriya was a devotee of Shiva who was attacked by the asura Daruka, while she was traveling in a boat. Supriya was then imprisoned by the demon along with many other captives in his capital city of Darukavana. Daruka wanted to get additional powers from Shiva and so he asked Supriya to teach him the correct way to worship Shiva. Supriya knew that Daruka was a tyrant and would use the powers for destructive purposes so she refused to help. This enraged Daruka and he decided to kill Supriya. In order to rescue his devotee Shiva appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga and killed the demon with his Pashupatastra. Daruka’s wife Daruki, however, continued to torment Supriya. Therefore Shiva emerged again from the Jyotirlinga to kill Daruki as well. It is this Jyotirlinga that is worshipped as Nageshwar.

Another legend is associated with the Pandavas, who lived in this region for a part of their exile. Their cows would daily go to a river to drink water. After that milk would flow automatically from their udders into the river. It seemed that the cows were offering the milk in prayer. Bhim happened to see this and immediately reported it to his elder brother Yuddhishthir. Yuddhishthir reasoned that there must be some shrine in the river. The Pandavas entered the river to locate the shrine. They found that at the center the river was boiling. Bhim threatened to destroy the river with his mace. The river then parted revealing the Jyotirlinga

Shree Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlings of India. It has a strategic location on the western coast of India.

Ancient Indian traditions maintain a close relationship of Somnath with releare of Chandra (Moon God) from the curse of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to Twenty Seven daughters of Daksha. However he favoured Rohini and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed Moon and the Moon lost power of light. With the advice of Prajapita Brahma, Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagwan Shiva. Pleased with the great penance and devotion of Moon, Bhagwan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness. Pauranic traditions maintain that Moon had built a golden temple, followed by a silver temple by Ravana, Bhagwan Shree Krishna is believed to have built Somnath temple with Sandalwood.

The research based on ancient Indian classical taxts show that first Somnath Jyotirling Pran-Pratistha was done on the auspicious third day of brighter half of Shravan month during the tenth Treta yug of Vaivswat Manvantar. Swami Shri Gjananand Saraswatiji, Chairman of Shrimad Aadhya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vedik Shodh Sansthan, Varanasi suggested that the said first temple was built 7,99,25,105 years ago as derived from the traditions of Prabhas Khand of Skand Puran.Thus, this temple is a perennial source of inspiration for millions of Hindus since time immemorial.

The later sources of history account for several desecrations by Muslims invaders during eleventh to eighteen century A.D. The temple was rebuilt every time with the reconstructive spirit of the people.The modern temple was reconstructed with the resolve of Sardar Patel who visited the ruins of Somnath temple on November, the 13th 1947. The Pran-Pratistha at the existing temple was done on 11th May 1951 by then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

Other spots in the temple are Shri Kapardi Vinayak and Shri Hanuman Temple in addition to Vallabhghat. Vallabhghat is a beautiful sunset point. The temple is illuminated every evening. Similarly the Sound & Light Show “Jay Somnath” is also displayed every night during 8.00 to 9.00, which allows the pilgrims an ethereal experience in the backdrop of grand Somnath temple and the holy wave sounds of the Ocean. Ahalyabai temple is also closeby, which was built by the queen mother Shri Ahalyabai Holker during 1782

OTHER SACRED PLACES OF SHREE PRABHAS TEERTH

The Gitamandir and Laxminarayan mandir are located in Dehotsarg campus. The divine massage of Bhagwan Shree Krishna in form of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta is carved here on eighteen marble pillars. Laxminarayan Mandir houses divine shreevigraha of Bhagwan Laxminarayan.

» SHREE PARSHURAM TEMPLE

This is a sacred spot at the holy banks of Triveni where Bhagwan Parshuram conducted his long penance and he was relieved from the curse of Kshatriya killings by Bhagwan Somnath. Divine leela Parshuram is perpetnated here by a beautiful Parshuram Temple and two ancient kunds.

» TREEVENI SANGAM SNANGHAT

The holy confluence of three river Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati and their sangam with ocean is very sacred moksha tirtha for Hindus. The bathing facilities are being renovated by Shree Somnath Trust with the assistance of State Government in the fond memory of Shree Morarjibhai Desai, the Ex-Prime Minister and Chairman of Shree Somnath Trust.

» SHREE SHASHIBHUSHAN MAHADEV & BHIDBHANJAN GANAPATIJI

The holy temple of Shashibhushan is located at a distance of 4 km on the Somnath-Veraval highway with a beautiful sea-shore. The Jara poacher is said to have taken aim from this spot while hitting an arrow towards Bhagwan Shree Krishna. The ancient Somnath Poojacharya Shri Bhav Brihaspati is said to have built this temple. Bhagwan Shashibhushan with Bhidbhanjan (Saviour form of) Ganesh is worshipped here with traditional spiritual traditions.

» SHREE VENESHWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE

The Rajputa “Vaja”clan was in charge of Somnath during the Muslim desecrations. The devotional episode of the princess “Veni” is depicted in the novel by Shri K.M.Munshi. The temple was outside of the fort wall of Prabhaspatan at the time of holy war with Gazani.The soldiers of Gazani attempted an abduction of “Veni” who regularly visited the temple to offer her services to Shiva. The traditions maintain that the Shivling was sportaneously got divided and the princess got burried into it. The Shiv temple here is knows as “Veneshwar” temple after the fond memory of divine episode of Veni.