Somnath is known for its Hindu temple, which is said to have been originally built out of gold by Somraj the Moon God. Legend has it that thwe temple was later rebuilt by Rawana in silver, then by Krishna in wood and finally out of stone by Bhimdev. The story goes that during the 11th century the temple was so wealthy that it employed 300 musicians, 500 dancers and 300 barbers, just to provide visiting pilgrims with everything necessary. The Afghan king Mahmud of Ghazni looted the temple in the 11th century and destroyed it. This event is said to have started the ongoing pattern of Muslims destroying temples and Hindus rebuilding them. In 1950 the current temple was built on the ruins.

The confluence of three rivers, where Lord Krishna was mistaken for a deer and came to his end, is not far to the east of Somnath. Accommodation is available in Somnath and the town has bus connections with Junagadh and Veraval. Somnath is 925 km southwest of Delhi.

Vishnu temple ©Suketu Solanki