Q. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somanath Temple at Verval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
3. Pran Pratistha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present-day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper
Explanation :
Somnath Temple: A Revered Jyotirlinga Shrine
The Somnath Temple is indeed one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines which are highly revered in Hinduism. These shrines are considered to be the most sacred abodes of Shiva. Each of the twelve Jyotirlinga sites take the name of the presiding deity, each considered a different manifestation of Shiva. Somnath is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra, on the western coast of Gujarat, India.
Al-Biruni’s Account of Somnath
The second statement is also correct. The Arab traveler Al-Biruni visited India in the 11th century and described the Somnath Temple in his memoirs. His account provides valuable information about the history of the temple and its significance at that time.
Pran Pratistha of Somnath Temple
However, the third statement is incorrect. The Pran Pratistha (consecration) of the present-day Somnath Temple was not done by President S. Radhakrishnan. The temple was reconstructed several times in the past after being destroyed by various invaders. The final reconstruction of the temple in its current form was completed in December 1951, and the Pran Pratistha was performed by the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan.
Therefore, the correct answer is “1 and 2 only”.
