Today morning, check out and proceed towards Somnath (250 kms/5 Hours). Visit Porbandar on the way:
Kirti Mandir – birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi: The three-storied haveli or mansion having a striking blue color in which Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October in the year 1869 was eventually turned into a shrine/memorial. This shrine which was named Kirti Mandir is actually a temple and symbolizes the harmonious integration of the world's six major religions namely Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. The haveli housing the Kirti Mandir used to be a one-storeyed house that was bought about two centuries back by Shri Harjivan Raidas Gandhi, great grandfather of M.K. Gandhi. The upper floors or stories were constructed later on and it is in this mansion that Gandhiji's grandfather, father, and uncle resided while serving as 'dewans' or prime ministers under the Jethwa Rajput kings. Kirti Mandir was constructed up to a height of 79 feet to correspond with Gandhiji's lifespan. The'garba griha' or the sanctum sanctorum of the temple houses the Mahatma's and his wife Kasturba Gandhi's fullscale oil-paintings. Gandhi practiced 'non-violence' and always spoke 'the truth' throughout his life and the words are etched in front of their feet. Two rooms on the shrine's right, serve as memorials of Mahadev Desai and Maganlal Gandhi while the room on the temple's left is a museum containing exhibits.
Sudama Temple: A temple dedicated to Sudama, a close friend of Lord Krishna and is a significant religious edifice built during the early years of the 20th century. The present, magnificent structure is built at the site, where an old temple of Sudama existed in the past. Reach Somnath and visit:
Somnath Mahadev Temple: The historic Somnath Temple is an epitome of religious devotion of Lord Shiva in Veraval, Saurashtra. The temple is worshipped widely as it is considered as one of the first of the Shiva Jyotirlingas as mentioned in the Puranas. The Shiva temple here is considered very pious due to its rich religious history. Somnath refers to the name given to Lord Shiva or the Almighty of the Soma. The temple has been built and renovated many times from the time of its inception due to wars between Hindu and Muslim kings. The temple is known as the Shrine of the Eternal for the Shiva Jyotirlingas. Every day, three pujas are done in the temple which attracts major tourist in huge numbers. The temple is built in proper Hindu architecture with pillars and a flag on the roof of the highest point. The legends about the temple revolve around the Moon God Soma who was believed to have taken a bath at this point of the river confluence. The Moon God was losing his shine owning to a curse and redeemed it back after the dip according to the Hindu mythology. The pilgrim spot of the Somnath Temple is at the mouth of the three mythological rivers of Saraswati, Hiran and Kapilla. The first stone of the temple is said to be built centuries ago. The Seuna kings that time had built another establishment of it at the same spot during the period of 649CE. The temple has been attacked many times by the Arabs in the past but was erected every time by the following Hindu dynasties. The Somnath Temple is also believed to be first built from wooden structures but was raided soon after by foreign invaders. Solanki king Mularaja is said to have built the first temple at this changing the old outlook of it. Feel the divinity in the evening arti and watch the Light and Sound Show to feel the grandeur of the Somnath Temple. Overnight at Somnath.