New Delhi: The Somnath temple, one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history. The Jyotirlinga at Somnath was uniquely suspended in the air, crafted from iron and held aloft by a large magnetite magnet installed on the temple’s roof.
In the 11th century, when Mahmud Ghaznavi invaded India, he destroyed several Hindu temples, including the Somnath temple. The items in the temple were broken into many pieces. Now, there are claims that fragmented parts of the Somnath Shivling have been discovered.
In the last century, the Shivling came in the hands of Prandev Saraswati. After this, due to the family tradition, this Shivling came in the hands of Pandit Sitaram Shastri, then he took the Shivling to Shankaracharya Vijayendra Saraswati. He told to take it to spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in Bengaluru.
Now, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has taken it upon himself to restore these fragments of the Shivling. A plan is being made to re-install this Shivling in Somnath temple and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar himself has taken the responsibility of this in his hands.
News9live spoke to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Somnath Jyotirling reinstallation. Excerpts from the interview:
Q. This Maha Shivaratri is special, something truly historic is unfolding at your ashram. Please shed some light about it?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Indeed, it is a historic event. After 1,000 years, fragments of Somnath Jyotirling destroyed by Ghaznavi will be on display of the public. The magnetic power of the stone indicates that it is something that doesn’t exist on earth, could be a meteor. Today, it will be on public display.
Q. Relics and its journey through time have always been fascinating. This Somnath Jyotirlinga too has travelled from Gujarat and ended up at your place. What do we know about its journey?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It is a struggle of a 1,000 years. The Agnihotri Brahmins took it to a Shankaracharya in Kanchi. He then informed them to keep it till the Ram Mandir is ready and now it has come to Art Of Living. It has had quite a significant journey that way.
Q. That is quite a journey. Also, one thing that is intriguing is the last 100 years and what is the spiritual significance of its emergence now?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: I don’t know why now? Some questions just don’t have answers.
Q. The custodian of Somnath Temple, however, have not confirmed any knowledge about this Jyotirling. What do you have to say about that and will the Jyotirling go back to Somnath or will it always be at Art Of Living?
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The Jyotirling will travel throughout the country at various temples, then the Prime Minister will also have a look at it and it will go back to Somnath.
