Prabhas Patan (Somnath, Gujarat)
Prabhas Patan is located in Gir Somnath district of the Indian state of Gujarat.
- It lies on the western coast of Gujarat, along the Arabian Sea.
- Prabhas Patan is part of the town of Veraval and is historically known as Somnath–Prabhas Patan.
- It is the site of the famous Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
- The region has been an important religious, cultural, and maritime center since ancient times.
- Sacred and Historical Significance
- Prabhas Patan is a region of immense religious, cultural, and historical importance.
- It preserves a rich legacy through inscriptions, copper plates, memorial stones, and archaeological remains.
- These records reflect the region’s prosperity, valor, devotion, and resilience over centuries.
- Epigraphic Evidence and Preservation
- Numerous epigraphic records related to Prabhas Patan and the Somnath Temple are found across the Prabhas region.
- Inscriptions and temple remnants destroyed during invasions are preserved at the Prabhas Patan Museum.
- The museum currently operates from the ancient Sun Temple at Prabhas Patan.
- Bhadrakali Inscription Location
- A significant inscription is located near the museum, beside the old Ram Temple in Bhadrakali Lane.
- It is preserved in the residence of Sompura Brahmin Shri Dipakbhai Dave.
- The inscription is embedded in the wall of the ancient Bhadrakali Temple within his courtyard.
- Details of the Inscription
- The inscription dates to 1169 CE (Valabhi Samvat 850; Vikram Samvat 1255).
- It is protected by the State Department of Archaeology.
- The inscription is a eulogy of Param Pashupata Acharya Shriman Bhavabrihaspati.
- Bhavabrihaspati was the spiritual preceptor of Maharajadhiraj Kumarapala of Anhilwad Patan.
- Historical Narrative of Somnath Temple
- The inscription records the ancient and medieval history of the Somnath Temple.
- It describes the temple’s reconstruction in all four yugas:
- Satya Yuga: Built of gold by Chandra (Soma).
- Treta Yuga: Built of silver by Ravana.
- Dvapara Yuga: Built of wood by Shri Krishna.
- Kali Yuga: Built of stone by King Bhimdev Solanki.
- Solanki Dynasty Contributions
- King Bhimdev Solanki constructed the fourth Somnath temple on earlier remains.
- The fifth temple was constructed by King Kumarapala in 1169 CE at the same site.
- Under Solanki rule, Prabhas Patan flourished as a major center of religion, architecture, and literature.
- Golden Age of Gujarat
- The justice of Siddharaj Jaysinh and the devotion of Kumarapala elevated Somnath’s prominence.
- Somnath became a symbol of Gujarat’s Golden Age during the Solanki period.
- Cultural and Spiritual Legacy
- Prabhas Patan represents not just archaeological ruins but the spiritual pride of Sanatan Dharma.
- The Bhadrakali inscription reflects the devotion of Solanki rulers and scholarly traditions.
- The region’s legacy of art, architecture, literature, and faith continues to inspire future generations.
- Somnath stands as a timeless symbol of devotion, cultural identity, and self-respect.
Aditya-L1 and Solar Storm Impacts
Mission Overview
- Aditya-L1 is India’s first solar observatory mission, launched by ISRO to study the Sun and its influence on space weather.
- The mission provided crucial data on how solar storms affect Earth’s magnetic field.
Key Scientific Breakthrough
- ISRO scientists published a breakthrough study in The Astrophysical Journal (December 2025).
- The study analysed a major space weather event that impacted Earth in October 2024.
Nature of the Solar Event
- The event involved a massive eruption of solar plasma from the Sun.
- Data from Aditya-L1 was combined with observations from international space missions to decode the event.
Most Severe Impact Phase
- The turbulent region of the solar storm caused the most severe effects.
- This region strongly compressed Earth’s magnetic field.
Impact on Earth’s Magnetic Shield
- Earth’s magnetosphere was pushed unusually close to the planet.
- Some geostationary satellites were briefly exposed to harsh space conditions.
- ISRO noted that such extreme compression occurs only during severe space weather events.
Effects on Upper Atmosphere
- During the turbulent phase, auroral currents (at high latitudes) became super-intensified.
- This process can:
- Heat the upper atmosphere
- Cause enhanced atmospheric escape
What is Space Weather?
- Space weather refers to conditions in space caused by solar activity, such as:
- Solar plasma eruptions
- Solar storms
- These events can disrupt:
- Satellites
- Communication and navigation systems
- Power grid infrastructure on Earth
Scientific Importance
- The study enhances understanding of Sun–Earth interactions.
- It improves prediction of space weather risks to satellites and critical infrastructure.
- Highlights Aditya-L1’s role in strengthening India’s space science capabilities.
Zero-Fatalities Road Safety Programme
Initiative and Objective
- The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), in collaboration with the NGO Save Life Foundation, has identified 100 high-risk districts for a data-driven zero-fatalities road safety programme.
- The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s commitment to reduce road accident deaths by 50% by 2030.
Geographical Coverage
- The 100 districts are spread across 15 States.
- Major participating States include:
- Uttar Pradesh – 20 districts
- Tamil Nadu – 19 districts
- Maharashtra – 11 districts
- Karnataka – 9 districts
- The programme has already been rolled out in all these identified districts.
Rationale for District-Level Focus
- 63% of road accident fatalities occur outside National Highways, on:
- State Highways
- State expressways
- Major district roads
- Local roads
- Crash deaths are strongly influenced by local factors, such as:
- Road design and intersections
- Traffic enforcement
- Emergency medical and hospital preparedness
- Districts are seen as the most effective administrative unit where traffic policing, health services, and local governance converge.
Data Analysis and Findings
- Analysis across the 100 districts recorded nearly 89,000 road deaths during 2023–2024.
- 17,331 critical crash locations were mapped, accounting for 58% of total fatalities.
- Identification of high-risk time windows helped determine when most crashes occur, aiding targeted law enforcement deployment.
Major Causes of Fatalities
- Rear-end collisions – 26% of deaths
- Head-on collisions – 23% of deaths
- Pedestrian crashes – 23% of deaths
- These patterns highlight the need for better road design, speed management, and pedestrian safety measures.
Framework of the Zero-Fatalities Programme
- Engineering interventions:
- Road safety audits
- Low-cost, quick-build solutions
- Correction of faulty intersections and hazardous road designs
- Trauma care response:
- Improving ambulance response time standards
- Training first responders to provide timely emergency care
Governance and Oversight
- An accident prevention committee will be formed for the 100 districts.
- Members will include:
- District Collectors
- State Transport Ministers
- Members of Parliament (MPs)
- These stakeholders will be invited to New Delhi for a dedicated conference to strengthen coordination and accountability.
Overall Significance
- The programme represents a shift from highway-centric to district-centric road safety planning.
- Emphasises evidence-based policymaking, inter-departmental coordination, and rapid safety interventions.
- Aims to create a scalable model for reducing road deaths nationwide.
Winter Fog, Pollution, and New IIT-Madras Findings
Background: Winter Fog in the Indo-Gangetic Plain
- Dense winter fog is a recurring hazard across the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP).
- Fog significantly reduces visibility for hours, affecting aviation, transport, and daily life.
- Fog commonly forms within polluted air near the ground, and polluted fog events tend to last longer.
- Understanding the vertical structure of fog (especially its thickness) is crucial because thicker fog persists longer.
New Research and Data Source
- Researchers from IIT-Madras analysed 15 years of CALIPSO satellite data.
- The findings were published in Science Advances on January 9.
- The study examined how aerosols (dust, smoke, pollution) above fog layers influence fog thickness and persistence.
Key Scientific Finding
- Aerosol loading above the fog layer increases fog thickness.
- The top of the fog rises higher, while the base remains close to the ground.
- This leads to thicker fog layers, making fog more persistent.
AODFOG Index
- Researchers developed a new metric called AODFOG.
- AODFOG estimates the amount of aerosols present above the fog layer.
- Days were classified into:
- Low AODFOG: Less pollution above the fog
- High AODFOG: More pollution above the fog
Quantitative Results
- In regions of the IGP where thick fog is frequent:
- Fog layers were about 17% thicker on high-AODFOG (more polluted) days.
- The increased thickness was due to the fog top rising, not the base lifting.
Droplet Size Analysis
- Using MODIS satellite data, researchers estimated fog droplet sizes near the fog top.
- On high-AODFOG days, water droplets were slightly larger on average.
Weather Model Simulation
- A weather model was used to simulate a major fog event in January 2014.
- The model helped explain the physical processes behind the observations.
Self-Strengthening (‘Vicious’) Cycle Identified
- More aerosols → more condensation nuclei (‘seeds’) → more fog droplets form.
- Condensation releases latent heat, which can:
- Stir the fog
- Promote upward mixing, increasing fog thickness
- Dense fog loses heat efficiently through infrared radiation, keeping the fog top:
- Cold
- Humid
- Favorable for further condensation
- This creates a self-reinforcing feedback loop between pollution and fog.
Broader Impacts
- Fog traps pollutants, worsening air quality.
- The pollution–fog feedback affects:
- Public health
- Aviation safety
- Transportation
- Economic productivity
- Reducing air pollution could:
- Weaken fog formation
- Improve visibility
- Deliver health and economic benefits
Additional Considerations and Limitations
- Soot aerosols can absorb sunlight and warm air near or above the fog (a “semi-direct effect”).
- This effect was not isolated in the study due to:
- Poor knowledge of aerosol properties above fog
- Sparse observations to constrain models
- The authors acknowledge this as a key limitation.
Overall Conclusion
- Winter haze and fog in North India form a vicious cycle driven by aerosols.
- Air pollution control is essential not just for health, but also for reducing fog persistence and its cascading impacts.