India Mint Stamp

Lokith Philately

Permanent Pictorial cancellation of Gujarat

Permanent Pictorial Cancellation inaugural day covers

Date of issue: 16.02.1977

Pin code: 362268

Status: Active

PO Name: Prabhas Patan

Description : The Somnath Temple at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat is a significant pilgrimage destination. It is one of the 12 Shiva Jyotirlingams in the country. According to legend, the Chandra Dev performed severe penance at this location to get relief from a curse. After praying to Lord Shiva, he was freed from the curse and established a Jyotirlinga at the site, which later became known as the Somnath Temple. According to ancient texts, the temple was initially built by King Somraj in the Satyuga using gold. In the Treta Yuga, Ravana built it with silver, and in the Dwapara Yuga, Lord Krishna built it with Sandalwood. Later, King Bhimdev reconstructed the temple using stone. 

The temple has a long history of being destroyed and rebuilt. The first historical mention of the temple predates the Christian era. The second version of the temple was built around 408-768 AD by the initiative of the Vallabhi king. The temple has been destroyed and reconstructed multiple times, with the latest reconstruction taking place in 1947 on the initiative of Deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The current iteration of the temple was inaugurated on May 11, 1950, at that time by the President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad.