Editing Somnath temple (section)

==Location==
The Somnath temple is located along the coastline in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region of Gujarat. It is about {{Convert|400|km|mi|0}} southwest of [[Ahmedabad]], {{Convert|82|km|mi|0}} south of [[Junagadh]] – another major archaeological and pilgrimage site in Gujarat. It is about {{Convert|7|km|mi|0}} southeast of the Veraval railway junction, about {{Convert|130|km|mi|0}} southeast of the [[Porbandar Airport|Porbandar airport]] and about {{Convert|85|km|mi|0}} west of the [[Diu Airport|Diu airport]].<ref>[https://www.gujarattourism.com/saurashtra/gir-somnath/somnath-temple.html Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple], Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited – a State Government company, Government of Gujarat (2021)</ref>

The Somnath temple is located close to the ancient trading port of [[Veraval]], one of three in Gujarat from where Indian merchants departed to trade goods. The 11th-century Persian historian [[Al-Biruni]] states that Somnath has become so famous because "it was the harbor for seafaring people and a station for those who went to and fro between [[Sufala]] in the country of [[Zanj]] (east Africa) and [[China]]". Combined with its repute as an eminent pilgrimage site, its location was well known to the kingdoms within the Indian subcontinent.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2020|pp=Chapter 11}}{{sfn|Mishra|Ray|2016|pp=234–241}} Literature and epigraphical evidence suggest that the medieval-era Veraval port was also actively trading with the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This brought wealth and fame to the Veraval area, as well as the temple.{{sfn|Mishra|Ray|2016|pp=14, 184–187, 234–241}}

The site of Prabhas Patan was occupied during the [[Indus Valley Civilisation]], 2000–1200 BCE. It was one of very few sites in the [[Junagadh district]] to be so occupied. After abandonment in 1200 BCE, it was reoccupied in 400 BCE and continued into the historical period. Prabhas is also close to the other sites similarly occupied: Junagadh, [[Dwarka]], Padri and [[Bharuch]].{{sfn|Mishra|Ray|2016|pp=14, 184–187, 234–241}}