Deo Somnath Temple
Deo Somnath Temple is located on the bank of the River Somnath, some 24 km away from Dungarpur. This is a temple that has been devoted to the worship of Lord Shiva. The shrine is made of marble and possesses three double-storied gates that are based on the west, east, and south of the temple.
The temple is said to have been constructed close to 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 several 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 the floodwaters from the river Som have done much harm to the temple and its internal designing and architecture.
History of Deo Somnath Temple
The Deo Somnath stone temple is located about 24 km away from Dungarpur. This temple was built in the 12th century and is a very close replica of the actual Somnath temple in Gujarat. Various invaders from foreign lands, especially Mahmud of Ghazni did loot and plunder the real temple so very many times.
In the fear that such raids would destroy the temple, the Shiva devotees created this duplicate temple inland.
Architecture of Deo Somnath Temple
This Temple is an excellent example of the complexities of stone carving. It is built of stone and white marble and resembles one of the stone Temples at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh State.
It consists of a three-storeyed Sabha mandap (the Portico) having three Doors and 225 stone Pillars. These Pillars are adorned with beautifully carved statuettes. The Portico is ornamented with beautiful carvings of Gods and Goddesses. The Pinnacle is very huge and high.
A stone Nandi faces the main Temple. A massive elephant carved out of stone is located at its entrance. The Temple walls have panels of hand prints, believed to be of the women who committed Sati (self-immolation) to save their honor. The ceiling of the dome is very beautiful and resembles the ceiling of the Jain Temples of Ranakpur of District Pali.
The main gate of the Temple is also beautifully built. The Sanctum Sanctorum has the idol of 6” high Shiva Linga of white color which is said to be natural.
