Somnath, Bhalka, Prachi: Sacred Confluence of Shiva, Krishna & Liberation

Therefore, this holy land of Prabhas Patan is known as the 'pilgrimage land of Hari and Har'. Ancient scriptures such as the Skanda Purana, Shiva Purana, and the Mahabharata describe this place as an important pilgrimage centre, where performing ancestral rites (pitru tarpan) and attaining moksha at the Triveni Sangam (the confluence of the Hiranya, Kapila, and Saraswati rivers) holds special significance. Sacred sites such as the Somnath Temple, Bhalka Tirth, the samadhi site of Krishna, and Prachi Tirth ensure that, even today, every particle of this land resonates with pride to the glorious saga of Shiva, Shyam (Krishna), and our Sanatan culture.

Echoing the resounding chants of "Har Har Mahadev," the first and most ancient Jyotirlinga, the Somnath Mahadev Temple stands as the very heart of Prabhas Patan. Situated amidst the roar of the sea and the reverberation of Vedic mantras, the temple of Somnath Mahadev is not merely an architectural marvel, but a living saga of India's unbroken faith and revival.

Known as the Lord of the Moon (Som), this temple of Mahadev is regarded as the first and foremost among the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is believed that the Moon (Som) himself established the Jyotirlinga here, which is why the temple is called 'Somnath' (the protector of the Moon). Despite numerous invasions, this grand and divine shrine stands firm to this day, symbolising the indomitable spirit of Hindu civilisation and the pride of Hindu culture.

The history of the Somnath Temple has witnessed many rises and falls. Despite repeated invasions, the faith of Somnath never wavered. After Independence, with the resolve of the Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the inauguration by India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, this magnificent new temple was constructed, becoming a symbol of India's self-respect and national pride.

A short distance from Prabhas Patan lies Bhalka Tirth, the site where the final divine leela of Lord Krishna took place. After the Mahabharata and the destruction of the Yadu dynasty, Krishna came to the Prabhas region. Here, while he was seated in yogic meditation beneath a peepal tree, the hunter Jara mistakenly struck his foot with an arrow, believing it to be a deer. This event symbolises the end of the Dwapar Yuga and the beginning of the Kali Yuga, as Krishna prepared to relinquish his mortal body. Today, a temple stands at this site, where Krishna is enshrined in a tribhangi posture, and a tulsi plant has been planted. After being wounded by the arrow, Krishna walked towards the Triveni Sangam, where he gave up his mortal body. This place is known as Dehotsarg Tirth or Golokdham Tirth. At this site stands the Gita Temple, where it is believed that Krishna imparted the teachings of the Gita to Uddhava. This pilgrimage symbolises moksha and devotion, and pilgrims, even today, remember and pay homage to Krishna's divine leelas.

In Prabhas Patan, Prachi Tirth is located on the banks of the Saraswati River and is renowned for ancestral rites (pitru tarpan) and for seeking the blessings of forefathers. Religious texts state that "One visit to Prachi is equal to a hundred visits to Kashi," as it was here that Sage Yajnavalkya performed penance to the Sun and attained the knowledge of the Shukla Yajurveda.

According to mythological narratives, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas, on the advice of Lord Shri Krishna, came to Prachi to seek liberation for their ancestors and absolution from the sins of war. They worshipped Madhavraiji here and performed tarpan rituals on the banks of the Saraswati. In Prachi, Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped in the form of 'Madhavray'. It is believed among devotees that performing ancestral rites in the presence of 'Hari' and 'Har' (Bhimnath Mahadev) leads to the liberation of ancestors up to three generations. Prachi is not merely a geographical location, but a sacred gateway to liberation from ancestral debts. Here, under the shade of the ancient Moksha Peepal tree and along the eastward-flowing waters of the Saraswati, thousands of devotees perform tarpan rituals for the welfare of their forefathers.

Prabhas Patan is not just a point on the geographical map, but an eternal centre of Sanatan Dharma's consciousness. The sky-touching flag of Somnath stands as testimony to India's indomitable self-respect, while the serenity of Bhalka and Dehotsarg reflects the divine journey of Lord Shri Krishna to Vaikuntha. Prachi Tirth, sanctified by the penance of Sage Yajnavalkya and the ancestral rites of the Pandavas, becomes a confluence of knowledge and liberation. In this unique sacred land where 'Hari' and 'Har' unite, the flowing rivers Saraswati, Kapila, and Hiranya continue to keep alive the immortal legacy of faith, devotion, and culture in the hearts of every devotee. Truly, the land of Prabhas is an inexhaustible, radiant essence of Shiva, Shyam, and Sanatan culture.

- ANI