Dungarpur Deo Somnath Temple, Rajasthan

Address

Dungarpur Deo Somnath Temple, Savgar, Dungarpur, Devsomnath, Rajasthan 314034

Diety

Somnath Amman: Parvati

Introduction

Deo Somnath Temple is a Lord Shiva temple which is located at a distance of 24 km away from Dungarpur at Deo Gaon. Situated on the banks of the River Som, it was constructed during the rule of Vikram Samwat in the 12th century, built with white marble stone, Deo Somnath walls have many inscriptions. It is a replica of the Somnath temple of Gujarat and also resembles one of the Khajuraho temples of Madhya Pradesh. Lord Shiva is worshipped along with Goddess- Parvati and other main deities. At the entrance of the temple, massively carved stone elephant structure and Lord Shiva bull also made of stone sit at the entrance.

Puranic Significance

This is a temple that has been devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. The shrine is made of marble and possess three double storied gates that are based on the west, east and south of the temple. The temple is said to had been constructed in the 12th century. The old inscriptions that are made on the walls of the temple can be traced back to 1493 AD. Nearby the temple one can see a number of memorials and shrines that have been created in the memory of the warriors whose last rites were performed here. It has been believed that the current structure of the temple is a mere skeletal representation as he floods waters from the River Som have done much harm to the temple and its internal designing and architecture are in ruins condition. Various invaders from the foreign lands, especially Mahmud of Ghazni did loot and plunder the real temple so very many times. In the fear that such raids will actually destroy the temple, the Shiva devotees created this duplicate temple on the inland.

Beliefs

Lord Shiva to carry water from the holy well. Dev-Diwali and Prodosh Vrats are also commemorated inside the complex among the local devotees. Fairs have been organised and people often fast on the night of Shivratri and sing hymns and praises in the name of Lord Shiva People believe that on this holy day Lord Shiva was married to Parvati Maa.