Somnath rose and fell many a time and the amazing drama of the iconoclast's zeal for its desecration and the devout Hindu's passionate desire for its restoration continued till the 15th century, when the Hindus finally gave up in sheer despair and built a new temple nearby.

Northern India had ceased to attract Mahmud, for the spoils of its most wealthy temples were already in his treasury. But the rich and prosperous province of Gujarat was still untouched, and on October 18, 1025, he started from Ghazni with his regular troops and thirty thousand volunteer-horsemen for the temple of Somnath, situated at the distance of a bow-shot from the mouth of the Saraswati, by the side of which the earthly body of Lord Krishna had breathed its last.

Ghazni Mohammed descended on Somnath in 1024 when the temple was so prosperous that it has 300 musicians, 500 dancing girls and 300 barbers to shave the heads of visiting pilgrims. There is a description to this effect by Al Biruni, an Arab traveller. After a two-day battle, Ghazni Mohammed carted off its fabulous wealth and also destroyed the temple, thus setting a precedent of Muslims destroying the temple and Hindus rebuilding it, for it was razed again in 1297, 1394 and finally in 1706 by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor who was notorious for such acts.

Mahmud entered the temple and possessed himself of its fabulous wealth. `Not a hundredth part of the gold and precious stones he obtained from Somnath were to be found in the treasury of any king of Hindustan.' Later historians have related how Mahmud refused the enormous ransom offered by the Brahmans, and preferred the title of `Idol-breaker’ (But-shikan) to that of `Idol-seller' (But-farosh). He struck the idol with his mace and his piety was instantly rewarded by the precious stones that came out of its belly. This is an impossible story. Apart from the fact that it lacks all contemporary confirmation, the Somnath idol was a solid unsculptured linga, not a statue, and stones could not have come out of its belly. That the idol was broken is unfortunately true enough, but the offer of the Brahmans, and Mahmud's rejection of the offer, is a fable of later days. The temple, which stands today, was built in the traditional pattern on the original site by the sea, thanks to the efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Your Itinerary for Somnath Temple
(Mumbai - Rajkot - Junagadh - Sasangir - Veraval - Somnath - Diu - Palitana - Bhavnagar - Lothal - Ahmedabad - Dungarpur - Udaipur - Mumbai (15 Days))

Day 01-Arrive Mumbai
On arrival, you will be met by our representative & transferred to hotel where we will be holding the rooms on ready occupancy basis. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 - Mumbai
Full day sightseeing of the City Of Gold covering Gateway of India , Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, Hanging Gardens and Mahalaxmi Temple. Have your dinner and spend your night at hotel.

Day 03 - Mumbai – Rajkot
Morning transfer to Airport for flight to Rajkot. On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Afternoon city tour covering Kaba Gandhi Delo – Gandhiji’s ancestral home, Watson Museum & library located in the pleasant Jubilee garden , Lal Pari Lake & Randerda – a picturesque picnic spot. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04-Rajkot - Junagadh – Sasangir
Morning drive to Sasangir en-route visiting Junagadh – An ancient fortified city rich in Myth & Legend. Visit Uparkot Fort – famous for its virtual inaccessibility, Ashoka’s Rock edicts – the fourteen rock edicts of the Emperor Ashoka, Damodar Kund – A sacred tank. On arrival in Sasangir, check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 - Sasangir
The day to visit the world of wild fauna. Time for Game viewing. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 - Sasangir – Veraval – Somnath – Diu
Morning proceed to Somnath enroute visiting Veraval – one of the India’s major fishing ports. Visit Bhalkeshwar temple and Bhid Bhanjan Mandir. In Somnath visit the seat of the twelve most sacred "Jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva, continue the drive to Diu, on arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07-Diu
Morning visit to the town sandwiched between the massive fort to the east and a huge city wall to the west. In the afternoon relax at Nagoa beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08 - Diu – Palitana - Bhavnagar
Morning drive to Palitana – The Place of Victory, Visit the exclusive Jain temples, Drive to Bhavnagar. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 09 - Bhavnagar
Morning visit Gaurishankar Lake – a beautiful picnic spot, Takhteshwar temple & The Lock Gate. Have your dinner & spend the night at hotel.

Day 10 - Bhavnagar – Lothal - Ahmedabad
Morning drive to Ahmedabad en-route visiting Lothal. Visit the Archaeological museum. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 11 - Ahmedabad
Morning visit Jama Masjid – one of the most beautiful mosques in India, Rani Roopmati Masjid – The Queen’s Mosque in Mirzapur, The Shaking Minarets – when one minaret is shaken, the other minarets vibrate too, Kankaria Lake – The circular lake having an island garden in the middle, Hathisingh Jain Temple & Gandhi Ashram. Overnight to be spent at hotel.

Day 12 - Ahmedabad - Dungarpur
Morning drive to Dungarpur. On arrival check in into Palace, picturesquely sited between a lake teeming with birds and a jungle. Day free to explore the surroundings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - Dungarpur – Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur. On arrival, check in into hotel. Afternoon city tour - covering Lake Pichola, City Palace, Saheliyon Ki Bari. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Udaipur
Full day city tour covering Eklingji & Nagda Temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - Udaipur – Mumbai
Morning free to relax. Afternoon transfer to Airport for flight to Mumbai, on arrival you will be transferred to hotel where we will be holding a few rooms for wash and change. Have your dinner and late night transfer to International airport to board flight back home.

Tour Ends.