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THE
TEMPLE
The
present temple with its imposing exterior adorned with marvellous
sculpture and a grand Sabha Mantap in front, and a huge Sikhara atop
measuring 155 feet in height casts a spell on pilgrims for miles
afar. It faces East and has a lowly pardon to its right extending up
to the high compound wall acting as dyke along the Arabian sea.
Pilgrims enter through the Digvijaya Dwar, a piece of architectural
beauty that detains theta longer with its majesty and decor. The
Jyotirlinga installed on the Brahmasila is about 4 feet in height
and affords a royal banquet to the eye with its sandal paste
decoration, which is a novelty here. Imbibing its beauteous
splendour, the devotees close their eyes for a while, when Somanath
of the ancient times installed by Brahma flashes across their minds
and recounts His former glory. There were 1000 priests in His
service attending to several activities round the clock. During its
heyday, the temple was beautified with invaluable golden ornaments,
and the Garbha griha was lighted by jewelled lamps; and a grand bell
was rung during the harati with a chain of solid gold of 250 maunds
in weight. It had hundreds of giant sized vaults stuffed with rare
jewels, and the pillars inside were studded with gems. No wonder, it
ignited the lust and greed in the heart of unscrupulous Mlechchas,
who raided it again arid again.
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