The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is 1 and 2 only.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analysis of Statement 1: "Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines."
This statement is correct. The Somnath Temple, located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat, is traditionally considered the first among the twelve holy Jyotirlinga shrines of Lord Shiva in India.

2. Analysis of Statement 2: "A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni."
This statement is correct. The famous 11th-century Persian scholar and traveler Al-Biruni visited India and wrote a detailed description of the Somnath Temple in his travelogue Kitab-ul-Hind. His accounts highlighted the temple's wealth and its significance as a major pilgrimage site, which historically attracted the attention of invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni.

3. Analysis of Statement 3: "Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan."
This statement is incorrect. The Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) of the modern, reconstructed Somnath Temple was performed by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on May 11, 1951, and not by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Conclusion:
Since Statements 1 and 2 are correct, and Statement 3 is incorrect, the correct combination is 1 and 2 only.