Somnath stands on the shore of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan, beside Veraval, and is revered as the first of the twelve jyotirlingas of Shiva. Few temples carry as much history: the shrine was famously sacked by Mahmud of Ghazni in the eleventh century and destroyed and rebuilt several times afterwards. The present temple, in the Māru-Gurjara (Chaulukya) style, was built after Independence at the urging of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and consecrated in 1951.
For visitors to Gir it is the obvious companion: about 45 km and an hour or so from Sasan, close enough for an afternoon and evening between a morning and a next-morning safari.
What to see and do at Somnath Temple
Have darshan at the temple
The temple is open from early morning until late evening, with aarti performed three times a day — traditionally around 7 am, noon and 7 pm. Security is strict: phones, cameras, bags and leather items must be left in the cloakrooms outside.
Stay for the sound-and-light show
An evening show in the temple grounds tells the story of Somnath; it does not run in the monsoon or in bad weather. Check the time locally.
Walk the seafront
The promenade behind the temple looks straight out over open ocean. A pillar here, the Baan Stambh, carries an inscription noting that no land lies between this point and the South Pole.
Visit Triveni Sangam
A short way east, three rivers — the Hiran, which flows down from Gir, the Kapila and the Saraswati of tradition — meet the sea. Pilgrims bathe here, and the Gita Mandir and Lakshmi Narayan temple stand close by.
See Bhalka Tirth
On the Veraval road, this temple marks the spot where, in tradition, Krishna was struck in the foot by the arrow of the hunter Jara while resting under a pipal tree.
How to get to Somnath Temple
- From Sasan Gir, Somnath is about 45 km by road via Talala, around an hour to an hour and a quarter. Taxis are easily arranged through hotels; buses run via Talala and Veraval.
- The railhead is Veraval, about 6 km from the temple, with trains from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and beyond. Somnath also has a small station of its own with limited services.
Practical tips
- Travel light to the temple — you will have to deposit almost everything you carry.
- Dress modestly; shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged.
- Mondays, the month of Shravan, Mahashivratri and Kartik Purnima bring very large crowds.
- The sea here is rough and not suitable for swimming.
Best tours for Somnath Temple
These packages are the easiest way to see Somnath Temple with transport and a guide sorted:
Private day trip from US$196 From Rajkot: Somnath Temple and Caves Private Day Trip
A private day out from Rajkot devoted to Somnath and the sacred sites around it. It is a long day on the road, so start early. New and unreviewed.
- Somnath temple and Bhalka Tirth
- The Somnath museum and the Panch Pandav caves
- Private car from Rajkot
Private day trip from US$217 From Rajkot: Junagadh & Somnath Temple Private Day Trip
Junagadh’s most photogenic monument and the Somnath temple circuit combined in one private day from Rajkot. It covers a lot of ground quickly. No reviews yet.
- The Mahabat Maqbara in Junagadh
- Somnath temple, Bhalka Tirth and Triveni Sangam
- Private transport throughout
Guided overnight tour from US$187 From Rajkot: Gir and Somnath Weekend Tour
The classic Saurashtra pairing packed into two days from Rajkot: lion country and the temple on the sea. Read the inclusions closely to see which safari — the Jungle Trail or Devalia — is part of the price, and whether the permit is covered.
- Sasan Gir and Somnath in one weekend
- Transport from Rajkot, the nearest big airport city
- A night in the Gir–Somnath area
Multi-day pilgrimage tour from US$349 Rajkot: 4-Day Dwarka and Somnath Temple Tour
A four-day temple circuit from Rajkot linking Dwarka and Somnath. It is not a wildlife tour, but Sasan Gir is close to the Somnath end of the route if you want to add a safari day yourself. Unreviewed.
- The Dwarkadhish temple and Nageshwar jyotirlinga
- Somnath temple
- Scenic drives along the Saurashtra coast
