Shri Somnath Jyotirlinga
Prabhas Patan · Veraval, Saurashtra, Gujarat
Rebuilt many times, never surrendered: where the Arabian Sea bears witness to every Jaya Somnath.
Darshan Information
Darshan Hours
6:00 AM
to 10:00 PM
Daily Aarti
7 AM · 12 PM · 7 PM
Evening aarti faces the Arabian Sea
Entry Fee
Free
General darshan
Dress Code
Respectful Attire
The Trust FAQ does not permit mini skirts or disrespectful dress · Remove shoes at the designated point
Best Time to Visit
Year-Round
Best Oct – Mar · Avoid festival weekends
Security Rules
No Phones or Cameras
Electronic gadgets and photography are prohibited · Free cloakroom lockers are available
Expected Wait Time
Approximate planning estimate only · Not live or guaranteed
Weekdays
Approx. 15–30 min
Mon – Fri
Weekends
Approx. 45 min–2 hrs
Sat & Sun
Festivals
Approx. 2–4 hrs
Maha Shivratri · Kartik Purnima
* Foreign nationals and visitors of other faiths, please check entry permissions at the main gate before proceeding.
Sandhya Aarti
Where the Arabian Sea meets devotion
Daily at 7:00 PM · No booking required
As the sun descends into the Arabian Sea, the Sandhya Aarti fills the coastal air with conch shells and the thunderous chant of Jaya Somnath. The Sound & Light Show follows from 8:00 to 9:00 PM (except in the monsoon season).
7:00 PM
Aarti time
Free
Temple entry
8:00–9:00 PM
Sound and Light Show
How to Experience the Evening Aarti
- 1
No advance booking needed: general darshan is free and open to all Hindus
- 2
Arrive by 6:30 PM to secure a good position facing the sea. Crowds build quickly before the aarti.
- 3
Sound & Light Show runs 8:00–9:00 PM except during the monsoon. Confirm the current ticket price, languages and entry process at the venue.
- 4
Deposit your phone at the free cloakroom before entering the sanctum. Photography is not permitted inside.
After the aarti: Walk 2 minutes to the Baan Stambh pillar on the ocean promenade. The ancient inscription declares no land exists between Somnath and the South Pole; you can face the open Arabian Sea with the Jyotirlinga behind you.
Puja Schedule
3 rituals · Daily
6:00 AM – 10:00 PMTimings may shift during festivals and special occasions. Confirm at somnath.org before visiting.
Travel and Stay
At a Glance
Evening Aarti
7:00 PM · Temple entry is free · Arrive by 6:30 PM on busy days
Sound and Light Show
Usually 8:00–9:00 PM · Not held during the rainy season · Confirm today’s show and ticket availability
Weather and Crowds
Early morning or around sunset · October–March has cooler coastal weather
directions_transitHow to Reach Somnath
By Train
Somnath Railway Terminus · 2.5 km
By Flight
Diu Airport (DIU) · 90 km
By Road
Ahmedabad · 400 km
hotelWhere to Stay
Somnath Trust Guest Houses
The Trust offers rooms and dormitory beds near the temple. Rates, deposits, GST and availability vary, so check the current tariff and book only through somnath.org or the Trust office.
Budget Hotels: ₹700 to ₹2,500/night
Several options near the temple and in Veraval town (6 km). Good for pilgrims seeking basic comfort. Book via MakeMyTrip or Goibibo.
Mid-range & Seaside Resorts: ₹3,000 to ₹10,000/night
Somnath has sea-facing properties. Book well ahead for Navratri and Kartik Purnima.
Book 2–3 months ahead for Navratri and Kartik Purnima. Veraval (6 km) has more budget options.
wb_sunnySeasonal Planning
Oct – Mar · Ideal
Cool coastal weather. Best for darshan and the evening aarti. Navratri (Oct) and Kartik Purnima (Nov) bring the most festive atmosphere; plan 2–3 months ahead.
Apr – Jun · Warm
Coastal heat builds to 35–38°C. Less crowded. Visit early morning (6–9 AM) for comfortable darshan. Carry water and wear light clothing.
Jul – Sep · Monsoon
Heavy rain and rough sea. Spiritually significant but logistically challenging. Temple remains open but the coastal ambience differs greatly.
tips_and_updatesVisitor Tips
- check_circleArrive by 6:30 PM for the Sandhya Aarti. The viewing spots facing the sea fill quickly. This aarti (with the setting sun over the Arabian Sea) is the defining experience of Somnath.
- check_circleConfirm Sound & Light Show details at the venue. The official FAQ lists the show from 8:00–9:00 PM except during the monsoon. Ticket price, languages and entry arrangements can change.
- check_circleNo photography inside the temple. Deposit your phone at the free cloakroom at the entrance. The outer promenade and Baan Stambh beach area allow photography.
- check_circleVisit the Baan Stambh on the beach. The ancient pillar declaring no land between Somnath and the South Pole is a powerful reminder of where you stand in the world.
Temple Highlights
First Among the 12 Jyotirlingas
Somnath is the Aadi (the first) among all 12 Jyotirlingas. It appears in the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, and Shrimad Bhagavatam. If you are doing the Jyotirlinga yatra, most pilgrims begin here.
On the Shore of the Arabian Sea
The temple stands on the Arabian Sea coast near the sacred Triveni Sangam associated with the Hiran, Kapila, and Sarasvati rivers.
The Baan Stambh Pillar
A stone pillar on the beach carries an ancient inscription: 'no land in this direction until the South Pole.' Stand here, face the open Arabian Sea, then turn back toward the Jyotirlinga temple.
Destroyed and Rebuilt Many Times
Somnath was rebuilt repeatedly after several documented desecrations between the eleventh and eighteenth centuries. The present temple's modern Pran-Pratistha (consecration) took place on 11 May 1951; the temple was built on the same sacred ground, as it always has been.
Major Festivals
Kartik Purnima
The biggest festival at Somnath. Lakhs of devotees come for a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, and the all-night aarti on this full-moon night is something most pilgrims remember for life.
What to do: Book accommodation 2–3 months ahead. Arrive before 3 PM to find a good spot for the evening aarti.
Navratri
Nine nights of Garba, darshan, and devotion.
What to do: Plan Somnath darshan in the morning and join the Garba celebrations in Veraval in the evening. Book 6–8 weeks ahead.
Mahashivratri
All-night puja at the first Jyotirlinga. Special abhishek and Jagarana (an all-night vigil). Lakhs of devotees come from across Gujarat and beyond.
What to do: Book 3–4 months ahead because accommodation fills fast. Reach the temple by 4 PM to avoid the worst of the entry queues.
Shravan Mondays
Every Monday in Shravan month, devotees come for Jal Abhishek (pouring sacred water over the Shiva linga). The monsoon changes the whole mood at Somnath: the sea is rough, the sky is dramatic, and the temple feels different from its winter self.
What to do: If you can choose, visit on a weekday morning to avoid Monday crowds. If Monday is important to you, be at the gate by 6:30 AM.
The Story of Somnath
Somnath means “Lord of the Moon” in Sanskrit. According to Puranic tradition, Chandra (the Moon God) first built a temple here in gold as an act of devotion to Lord Shiva after being cursed to wane. This place, called Prabhas Patan, finds mention in some of India's oldest and most sacred texts, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, and Shrimad Bhagavatam. It is also here, at the Triveni Sangam where the Hiran, Kapila, and the invisible Sarasvati rivers meet the Arabian Sea, that Lord Krishna is believed to have left his earthly form and attained moksha.
Somnath has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries, making it one of India's most frequently rebuilt temples. The most remembered attack came from Mahmud of Ghazni in 1024 CE, who looted the temple and broke the Shivalinga. Each time it fell, devotees rebuilt it. After Independence in 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins and personally committed to its restoration. The present temple's modern Pran-Pratistha (consecration) took place on 11 May 1951.
“The glory of Somnath will once again spread throughout the world, and what was once a seat of sorrow shall become a seat of power.”
— Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Somnath, 1947
Nearby Temples & Sites
Bhalka Tirth
near_me 4 km · 10 min auto
By tradition, devotees believe Lord Krishna was struck by the hunter Jara's arrow here and left his earthly form. For the suggested itinerary, visit before 9 AM.
Triveni Sangam Ghat
near_me 1 km · 5 min walk
Sacred confluence of the Hiran, Kapila, and the invisible Sarasvati rivers meeting the Arabian Sea. A calm bathing ghat. Bathe here before darshan for the complete Somnath pilgrimage. Especially sacred on Kartik Purnima.
Somnath Museum
near_me 0.5 km · 5 min walk
Remarkable 10th–11th century sculptures recovered from the earlier destroyed temples, the only physical remnants of pre-invasion Somnath. ASI-managed. Open 10 AM – 5 PM, closed Fridays. Entry ₹5.
Nageshwar + Dwarka (2-day circuit)
near_me 158 km · 3 hrs drive
Somnath → Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (158 km) → Dwarka Char Dham (17 km from Nageshwar) is the classic Gujarat 2-day sacred circuit, covering 2 of 12 Jyotirlingas and 1 of 4 Char Dhams in one trip. Best done by private cab or car.
A Day at Somnath
6:00 AM
Morning darshan: temple opens, shortest queues of the day
7:30 AM
Triveni Sangam Ghat: bathe at the sacred river confluence (1 km walk)
8:30 AM
Bhalka Tirth, where, by tradition, Lord Krishna is believed to have left his earthly form (4 km by auto)
10:00 AM
Baan Stambh pillar on the ocean promenade: the Land's End moment
11:00 AM
Somnath Museum: 10th century sculptures from the destroyed temples
1:00 PM
Lunch & rest: seafood or Gujarati thali in Veraval town (6 km)
5:00 PM
Return to temple promenade: golden hour on the Arabian Sea
6:30 PM
Secure your spot for the Sandhya Aarti: arrive early
7:00 PM
Sandhya Aarti: Lord Somnath bathed in lamplight as the sun sets over the sea
8:00 PM
Sound & Light Show: 8:00–9:00 PM except during the monsoon; confirm ticket details at the venue
Frequently Asked Questions
Is advance booking required for Somnath darshan?
No booking is required for general darshan, and entry is free. The Trust lists darshan from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Deposit prohibited electronics at the free cloakroom and follow the current entrance instructions.
For special sevas, pujas, and Trust guest house bookings, visit somnath.org.
What is the Baan Stambh and why is it significant?
The Baan Stambh is a seafront pillar whose inscription is traditionally interpreted as pointing south with no intervening land before the South Pole.
Treat that statement as a traditional interpretation rather than a surveyed scientific claim. Follow the photography and access rules posted at the temple and promenade.
Can I combine Somnath with Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Dwarka?
Yes. Somnath and the Dwarka–Nageshwar area can be combined in a Gujarat pilgrimage, but they should normally be planned on separate days rather than treated as a short transfer.
Nageshwar is about 16–17 km from Dwarka. Check live road conditions and each temple's current darshan windows before fixing the sequence; add Beyt Dwarka only if time and current access allow.
Can non-Hindus visit Somnath?
The Trust FAQ says a person who has faith in Hinduism may offer prayer. It does not publish a more detailed visitor-category policy, so visitors who are unsure whether the rule applies to them should confirm at the main gate. Public access outside the controlled temple area follows current local instructions.
What is the Sound and Light Show at Somnath?
The Trust's official pages currently differ: the FAQ lists 8:00–9:00 PM except during the monsoon, while the pilgrim-facilities page lists a 7:45 PM start. Confirm the same-day start time, ticket, language and weather status at the venue.
What is the best time of year to visit Somnath?
October to March is generally more comfortable for a coastal visit. Early morning or evening can also be easier than the warmer middle of the day.
Festival dates can bring heavier demand. Check the current weather, temple notices, and accommodation availability before travel.
How do I reach Somnath from Ahmedabad?
The Somnath Trust lists Ahmedabad at about 425 km. Rail and road services connect Ahmedabad with Somnath or nearby Veraval; check current railway and bus schedules for the travel date.
For air travel, the Trust lists Diu as the nearest airport at about 95 km. Confirm current flight availability and arrange the onward road journey before booking.
Data sourced from somnath.org and Gujarat Tourism. Core visitor details were rechecked on August 9, 2026. The Trust's two official pages currently show different Sound and Light Show start times, so confirm that item on the day of your visit.