Kamnath Mahadev, Somnath, Gujrat

Kamnath Mahadev, Somnath, Gujrat and His Dwarpal Nandi

              Just on the opposite side and about a hundred feet from the main gate of Triveni Teerth, Somnath, Gujrat  is located this temple of Shiva that is named as Kamnath Mahadeva. The Shivalinga is situated about two and half feet down the the floor level in the "Garbh Gruh". There is a mirror placed on the wall behind the Shivalinga at such an angle that the visitor can see both the Shivalinga and its image at the same time. God's vehicle and gatekeeper "Nandi" the bull is placed in front of Him.                                                                                                                

श्री आद्यगुरु शंकराचार्य
कामनाथ महादेव मंदिर
सोमनाथ ,गुजरात 

Entrance to Kamnath Mahadev Temple,
Somnth, Gujrat.

 The Shivalinga is old but the temple is newly constructed about few years ago. The temple is spacious. Other idols present here are that of "Narsingh" avatar and "Shankaracharya". This place is related to 'Sharda Peeth' of "Shankaracharya". There is a cave here where "Shankaracharya" used to sit for meditation. The way to cave is behind the temple a few steps above. Before entering the cave you will find yourself in a hall. On a side is a shop selling bags, chains, photos, etc . A beautiful idol of Goddess "Saraswati" is in the hall on one side and on the other is twelve Shivalingas representing twelve "Jyotirlingas". Through this hall is the way to entrance to the cave.                          

AdiShankaracharya and four of his disciples inside the cave
at Kamnath Mahadeva Temple, Somnath, Gujrat

                                                       

Shardapeeth
Shankaracharya
idol in Kamnath
Mahadev Temple

            The cave entrance is quite small and floor of the cave is about two and half feet down the level of this entrance. Only one person at a time can enter that too with some difficulty. Cave floor is about eight by eight feet in size and the clearance from floor to roof is too small to stand a grown up person comfortably. In fact the head touches the roof. Except entrance there is no other opening for air and light to enter the cave. Really it is best place to meditate that is why it was chosen by "Shankaracharya".

द्वादश ज्योतिर्लिंग प्रतिरूप
Before entrance to cave and in the hall
at Kamnath Mahadev Temple,Somnath
Gujrat

Inside the cave is idol of "AdiShankaracharya" with four of his main disciples. In front of them is a Shivalinga and Nandi idol. The floor and the walls of the cave are clad with white glazed tiles.   

Opposite Wall of the cave and the
mysterious picture (Cave at Kamnath
Mahadeva Temple complex,Somnath
Gujrat)

  You can see a close circuit camera at one corner of the roof of the cave so that the activities of a visitor inside the cave can be monitored. We saw a pedestal fan there that would be used on hot Summer days. What we saw mysterious, was a picture on the opposite wall of the cave. Can not say what was it !! 

Coming out of the cave
Kamnath Mahadeva temple complex
Somnath, Gujrat

          The visit was a satisfying one and the temple specially entrance hall to cave was neat and clean. Half an hour is sufficient to see this temple complex. People coming to Somnath for Jyotirlinga darshan come here too because it is one of the attractions of Somnath.