The sacred relics of the ancient Somnath Jyotirlinga have arrived in Betul, brought from Bengaluru by Shiv Tej, a disciple of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Devotees will have the opportunity to view the relics at Ramakrishna Bagiya from 3:30 PM on Monday, 22 December. During this period, Rudrabhishek, bhajans, and satsang will also be organised. According to Shiv Tej, this is the same divine Jyotirlinga that, as per belief, was established by Lord Chandra in Satya Yuga. It is considered the first Jyotirlinga, and tradition holds that this Shivling did not touch the ground but floated in the air. In 1026, during the invasion of Mahmud Ghaznavi, the Shivling was broken. An Agnihotri Brahmin family subsequently transported its remnants to South India, keeping them secret and safe for generations. In 1924, the eighth Shankaracharya of Kanchi Peeth, Chandrashekhara Saraswati, instructed that the remains remain secret for one hundred years. After this period, the Shastri family handed over the relics to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji before the Kumbh. Travelling Darshan across the country With the blessings of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Somnath Jyotirlinga is now offering darshan to devotees nationwide through travel. Shiv Tej explained that typically, devotees visit Jyotirlingas, but this time the Shivling has come to Betul. A Bhaskar reporter observed the remnants at night and noted their special magnetic properties. When stones were brought close, they attracted each other, and even an iron nail reacted like a magnet. Scientific Examination confirms unique properties The Geological Survey of India (GSI) examined two samples of the Shivling, and their report dated 23 October 2007 recorded a strong magnetic field, approximately 140 Gauss in one sample and 120 Gauss in the second. Elemental analysis revealed barium (78%), silicon, magnesium, sulfur, and iron, while X-ray diffraction tests confirmed that its crystal structure does not match any known mineral, proving its uniqueness. The Madras Gem Institute also confirmed the magnetic properties in a report dated 27 December 2013, describing the specimen as clay, light yellow opaque, with a hardness of 4 and a strong magnetic field. Religious and scientific significance These scientific tests demonstrate that the Shivling is not only religiously significant but also rare from a scientific perspective, possessing unusual magnetic properties. With the support of the Art of Living organisation, this sacred relic has now reached Betul. Dr Alka Pandey, district coordinator of the organisation, stated that all arrangements have been made for devotees. On Monday, a special puja, Rudrabhishek, and satsang will be conducted at Ramakrishna Bagiya, where thousands of devotees are expected to participate. Post navigation Congress leader Pallavi speaks out after marrying BJP leader Joshi:Says, ‘Second marriage is not a crime’; rituals performed in presence of both families Video of Indore’s 19-year-old female suicide victim surfaces:Crying, she alleges harassment, says, ‘They drove me crazy; I can’t live without Naveen… sorry’
