In a historic announcement, filmmakers Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ketan Mehta have united to bring one of India’s monumental historical chapters to the big screen. The historical drama titled ‘Jai Somnath’ will recreate the events of 1025-1026 AD, when Mahmud of Ghazni attacked and looted the iconic Somnath temple.
Somnath: A sacred pilgrimage through the ages
The place of Somnath has been an important pilgrimage site since ancient times. It is situated at the confluence of the sacred Triveni Sangam, Kapila, Hiran and Saraswati rivers. Historical records show that the Gurjara-Pratihara king Nagabhata II visited shrines in Saurashtra, including Someshwara, which is an alternative name for the temple.
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According to a report from District Gir Somnath, in 1026 AD, during the reign of Bhima I, Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the temple, destroyed its revered Jyotirlinga, and reportedly took away immense wealth. Yet, the story of the temple did not end here.
Repeated attacks, continuous reconstruction
The Somnath temple faced repeated attacks for almost six centuries. In 1169, Kumarapala rebuilt the temple in stone, replacing the earlier wooden structure, and decorated it with gems.
During the invasion of Gujarat in 1299, Alauddin Khilji’s army led by Ulugh Khan defeated the Vaghela king Karna and looted the temple. It was rebuilt in 1308 by Mahipala I, the Chudasama ruler of Saurashtra, with his son Khengara reinstalling the lingam between 1331 and 1351.
According to the same report, in 1395, Zafar Khan, the then governor of Gujarat under the Delhi Sultanate, once again destroyed the temple before the establishment of the Gujarat Sultanate.
According to a PIB government press release, the 15th century saw further attempts at desecration by Sultan Ahmed Shah and later his grandson, Sultan Mahmud Begada. However, the devotion of the followers ensured the revival of the temple every time.
In the 17th century, during the reign of Aurangzeb, another destruction of the temple occurred due to new orders around 1665 AD. In the 18th century, Ahilyabai Holkar established a new temple, restoring Somnath once again as a vibrant center of worship.
A grand historical drama for 2027
Announcing the project on Instagram, Bhansali Productions captioned: “Temples can be demolished, faith can’t. Sanjay Leela Bhansali presents – ‘Jai Somnath’. Directed by Ketan Mehta. In theaters worldwide, 2027.”
Read here Sanjay Leela Bhansali unveils ‘Jai Somnath’ with Ketan Mehta, to release worldwide in 2027
According to ANI, the history of Somnath shows the triumph of creation over destruction. From the attack of Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 to the invasions of the centuries that followed, the temple faced repeated attempts to desecrate it. Yet, each time, it was protected and rebuilt, standing as a testament to unwavering faith and sacrifice.