Somnath Classical dance and music festival 2025

The first of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Khestra in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, stands as the crossroads of devotion, history, and artistic expression.Somnath temple stands at the shore of the Arabian Ocean on the western corner of the Indian subcontinent in Gujarat State. This pilgrimage is one of the oldest and finds its reference in ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc.The shore temple of Somnath is believed to have been built in 4 phases gold by Lord Soma, in silver by Ravi, in wood by lord Krishna and in stone by King Bhimadeva.It has withstood the six-repeated desecration by the Muslim invaders. The very existence of this temple is a symbol of the reconstructive spirit and cultural unity of our society.The Iron Man of India Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel is the pioneer of the seventh existing temple.The temple consists of Garbhgruh, Sabha mandap and Nityananda with a 155F feet high Shikhar. The Kalash at the top of the Shikhar weighs 10 tons and the Dhwajdand is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference.Today the temple is one of the most visited Shiva temples and it's flocked by lakhs of tourists each month.Deeply rooted in Shaivism, Somnath embodies the traditions of Shaiv Agama, where music and dance are not just art forms but acts of worship—bridging the ine and the mortal.In Shaivism, Shiva is the cosmic dancer, Nataraja, whose Tāṇḍava rhythm shapes the universe. The Damaru, the first drum, beats in his hands, giving birth to Swaras (musical notes), which form the basis of Bharatiya classical music.Somnath too was never just places of worship; it was a centre of Nāṭya (dance) and Gāna (music), where spiritual experience was heightened through artistic expression. The Natya Mandap of the temple stands witness to this long-forgotten tradition.Somnath Festival of Dance & Music- an offering through music and dance curated by Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited and IGNCA Regional Centre Vadodara aims to re-establish the temple’s ancient connection with Nāṭya and Gāna.The first-ever festival of dance and music brings together Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan artists of India who all gather to celebrate the occasion of Maha Shivratri. From Veena to Bhajan, from Raas to Dyro; the festival promises a true offering to the Lord of the Universe on the special occasion of Maha Shivratri.< style"text-align: justify; ">