Leave phones at the hotel
Phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside the temple. There are lockers near the entrance, but queues build at aarti times.
Gujarat · The first of the twelve Jyotirlingas
Somnath, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas
Somnath temple stands on the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, and is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. One night covers the evening aarti, the light and sound show and the sites linked to Krishna's last days.
- Best: Nov–Feb
- 1 night; 2 if you want Bhalka Tirth, the Sangam and Diu at an easy pace
A Jyotirlinga is a shrine where Shiva is worshipped as a column of light, and Somnath heads the traditional list of twelve. The temple was attacked and rebuilt many times; after Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led its rebuilding, and the present temple was completed in 1951.
Prabhas Patan is also linked with the end of Krishna's life: Bhalka Tirth is where he is believed to have been struck by a hunter's arrow, and Dehotsarg, by the Triveni Sangam, where he left the world. Gir is about an hour away, and Dwarka a day's drive up the coast.
What to see
Sights in Somnath
- 1
Somnath Temple
The temple's tall shikhara (spire) rises above the sea wall. Beside it, the Baan Stambh (arrow pillar) carries an inscription saying there is no land in a straight line from here to the South Pole. A seafront promenade, opened in 2021, runs alongside, though the sea is too rough for swimming.
- 2
Triveni Sangam
Where the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers meet before reaching the sea, with ghats (steps to the water) where pilgrims bathe.
- 3
Bhalka Tirth
A temple on the Veraval road at the spot where Krishna is believed to have been struck in the foot by the arrow of a hunter named Jara.
- 4
Gita Mandir at Dehotsarg
Dehotsarg, near the Sangam, is where Krishna is believed to have left his body. Its Gita Mandir has the eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad Gita carved on marble pillars.
- 5
Old Somnath temple
A temple built by Ahilyabai Holkar, queen of Indore, in the 1780s, when the main temple lay in ruins. Its precinct was rebuilt in 2021.
Things to do
Experiences in Somnath
Aarti and the light and sound show
Aarti (a prayer ritual with lamps) is usually held at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm. A light and sound show on the temple's history follows the evening aarti, usually around 7:45–8 pm, weather permitting.
Shravan and Maha Shivratri
Shravan (usually July to August) and Maha Shivratri (February or March) bring the year's biggest crowds, when darshan (seeing the deity) can take hours.
A day in Diu
Diu, a former Portuguese territory about 90 km east, has a 16th-century sea fort, old churches and quieter beaches.
When to go
- January: best time
- February: best time
- March: good, with caveats
- April: good, with caveats
- May: good, with caveats
- June: hard: heat, monsoon or closures
- July: hard: heat, monsoon or closures
- August: good, with caveats
- September: good, with caveats
- October: good, with caveats
- November: best time
- December: best time
October to March is the most comfortable time, with mild days by the sea. Shravan and Maha Shivratri bring the biggest crowds, and the monsoon months are humid, with a rough sea.
Getting there
- By air: Diu Airport, about 85 km away (about 2 hours), has flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and a few other cities; Rajkot International Airport at Hirasar, about 220 km away (4.5–5 hours), has more routes.
- By rail: Veraval Junction, a few kilometres from the temple, has direct trains from Ahmedabad and Rajkot.
- By road: About 45 km from Sasan Gir (about 1 hour), 130 km from Porbandar (2.5–3 hours) and 190 km from Rajkot city (about 4 hours).
Local knowledge
Tips for Somnath
Dress for the temple
Wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees and expect a security check; shoes are left at counters outside.
Vegetarian near the temple
Food around the temple is vegetarian; Veraval, next door, is a fishing port with more choice.
Questions
Somnath: FAQs
Why is Somnath called the first Jyotirlinga?
Somnath is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the shrines where Shiva is worshipped as a column of light, because it heads the traditional list of the twelve. The present temple at Prabhas Patan was completed in 1951.
What are the aarti timings at Somnath temple?
Aarti at Somnath temple is usually held at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm, and the light and sound show follows the evening aarti. Timings can change on festival days, so check at the temple.
Are mobile phones allowed in Somnath temple?
No. Mobile phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside Somnath temple, and lockers are available near the entrance.
How far is Somnath from Gir and Dwarka?
Somnath is about 45 km from Sasan Gir, about an hour by road, and about 235 km from Dwarka along the coast via Porbandar, 5–6 hours. Many itineraries combine all three.
Combine it with
Nearby destinations
Gujarat
Gir
Home of the Asiatic lion
The only place where Asiatic lions live in the wild, with jeep safaris from Sasan Gir between mid-October and mid-June.
Best: Nov–Mar
Gujarat
Dwarka
One of the Char Dham
Krishna's city on the Arabian Sea and one of the Char Dham, with the Dwarkadhish temple, Gomti Ghat, Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar.
Best: Nov–Feb
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