Jan 20, 2020
Somanatha temple from above, Gujarat
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Somanatha temple from above, Gujarat
#Majestic piece of work, commissioned by General of Hoysala dynasty- #Somanatha, after who the place is named after. #Hoysala #architecture has peculiar characteristics which enforce #symmetrical #shapes for the 4-5 foot platform on which the sanctum is built. This particular #temple has three #sanctums on one plat, making it 'Trikuda' order. There are 4 other temples in same template which are ekakuta, dwikuta, chaturkuta and panchakuta temples... Platforms, columns and even the stair stoppers are ornately carved with #soapstones. #travelphotography #travel #tour #karnataka #nikon #d750 #samyang #14mm #wide #archaeology #archives #dusk #wanderlust (at Chennakesava Temple, Somanathapura) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx1Z7Z6jvqd/?igshid=1qb8q49sj3egg
Śri Somanātha – Lord of Soma
Located on the southern coastline of Saurashtra near the town of Verāvaḷ is the celebrated temple of Lord Śiva as Somanātha – the Lord of Soma. Soma is associated with the moon as well as the plant the juice of which was offered to the Vedic deities as oblation.
According to legends the Moon God – Candra-deva or Soma lost his lustre owing to a curse and performed penance by the sea-shore to propitiate Lord Śiva who appeared in his radiant form (fiery column) and blessed Soma. The temple thus is significant as one of the 12 jyotirliñga (ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग ) of Lord Śiva in India.
The temple of Somanātha rose to great prominence and wealth in medieval times owing to proximity to key region for marine trade with Arabia and Africa and thus attracted raids from invaders – the most famous being the raid of Sultan Muhammad of Ghazni in 1026 CE.
The temple was reconstructed by local Hindu rulers after each raid but fell into disrepair in the 19th Century. The present structure was built after independence at the initiative of India’s first home minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel funded largely by private donations. Construction was completed in October 1950.
The Somanatha temple Prabhas Patan in India. I wonder if it helped inspire the tower in Shadow of the Colossus.