Quick answer: Somnath Jyotirlinga stands on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan, about 7 km from Veraval in Gujarat. The temple is open about 6 am to 10 pm daily, with aartis at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm. General darshan is free and pujas can be booked on the Shree Somnath Trust website. Most families need one or two nights; Diu airport is about 85 km away.
Updated for the 2027 yatra season (facts checked October 2026)
Somnath is named first in the Dvadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram, so for many families it is where the sankalp of the twelve Jyotirlingas begins. The temple faces the open sea, the evening aarti fills the hall with conch and drum, and the coast around it holds the places linked with Shri Krishna’s last days. This guide covers timings, booking, dress, how to reach, and how to join Somnath with Nageshwar and Dwarka in one Saurashtra yatra.
Why is Somnath called the first Jyotirlinga?
The stotram opens with “Saurashtre Somanatham”, and the Shiva Purana describes the Jyotirlinga at Prabhas. According to belief, Chandra (Soma, the Moon) was cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to waste away, because he favoured Rohini over his other wives. Chandra did tapasya to Bhagwan Shiva at Prabhas, and Shiva eased the curse so that the Moon wanes and waxes each fortnight. Shiva stayed here as Somnath, “the Lord of Soma”. Devotees believe the first shrine was made by Chandra in gold, later ones in silver, wood and stone.
The history is as moving as the legend. The temple was raided in the early 11th century and damaged several times after that. In the 1780s Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore built a separate temple close by so that puja could continue; it still stands and is called the old Somnath temple. After Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel backed the rebuilding, and the present temple was consecrated on 11 May 1951 by President Dr Rajendra Prasad. For many yatris, Somnath is a symbol that faith cannot be broken.
On the sea wall stands the Baan Stambh, an arrow pillar whose inscription says there is no land in a straight line between this point and the South Pole.
Somnath darshan and aarti timings
| Ritual | Approximate time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temple open for darshan | 6:00 am to 10:00 pm | General darshan is free |
| Morning (Mangala) aarti | 7:00 am | Calmest time of the day |
| Madhyahna (Rajbhog) aarti | 12:00 noon | Hall can get busy at weekends |
| Sandhya aarti | 7:00 pm | The most popular aarti; arrive by 6:30 pm |
| Light-and-sound show | About 7:45 or 8 pm, roughly one hour | Small ticket; not held in the monsoon or heavy rain |
Timings shift on Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays and Kartik Purnima, when the temple may stay open longer. Check the trust’s notice before you plan around an aarti.
How to book puja and darshan at Somnath
- General darshan: free, no booking. Just join the queue after depositing your phone.
- Pujas (Rudrabhishek, Bilva puja, Mahapuja and others): book on the official Shree Somnath Trust website, somnath.org, under its puja section, or at the trust’s counter inside the complex. Rates are listed there.
- Paid quick darshan: reported at modest rates, so confirm the current fee on the official portal or at the counter.
- Live darshan: the trust streams the aartis on its website for family members at home.
Pay only through somnath.org or the trust counter. Be wary of WhatsApp numbers and UPI IDs that claim to sell puja or darshan in the trust’s name.
Dress code and rules inside the temple
- Modest Indian or formal clothes are expected. Men can wear a kurta-pyjama, dhoti, or shirt and trousers; women a saree, salwar suit or kurti. Avoid shorts and sleeveless tops. A dhoti is not compulsory for general darshan.
- Mobile phones, cameras, bags and leather items are not allowed inside. The trust runs a free cloakroom near the entrance.
- Devotees cannot touch the linga in general darshan; offerings are handed to the priests.
- Somnath is a vegetarian pilgrim town and alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat.
How to reach Somnath
| Mode | Nearest point | Distance to temple | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Veraval Junction | About 7 km (15 minutes) | Direct trains from Ahmedabad and Rajkot; a small Somnath station is close to the temple |
| Air | Diu airport | About 85 km (2 hours) | Few flights; check schedules |
| Air | Rajkot airport | About 195 km (4 to 4.5 hours) | More flights from Delhi and Mumbai |
| Road | Dwarka | About 230 to 250 km (5 hours) | Coastal highway via Porbandar |
| Road | Ahmedabad | About 400 km (7 to 8 hours) | Long drive; most prefer the train |
For families coming from north India, the simplest plan is a flight to Rajkot or an overnight train to Veraval. Jain and Gujarati vegetarian food is easy to find.
When is the best time to visit Somnath?
October to March is the most pleasant, with cool sea breezes in the evening and the light-and-sound show running. April to June is hot and humid. In the monsoon (July to September) the sea is rough, the show is suspended and Gir National Park is closed (it reopens on 16 October).
The biggest crowds come on Mahashivratri (6 March 2027 by the panchang), Shravan Mondays, and the Kartik Purnima fair in November, when a large mela is held near the temple. Gujarat follows the amanta calendar, so Shravan here starts about a fortnight later than in north India.
Nearby tirthas around Prabhas Patan
- Triveni Sangam: where the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati meet the sea. Many yatris take a dip or offer tarpan here.
- Dehotsarg (Golok Dham): by the Sangam, where Shri Krishna is believed to have left his earthly body. Geeta Mandir, with the Bhagavad Gita carved on its pillars, is in the same area.
- Bhalka Tirth: about 4 km from the temple, where a hunter’s arrow is said to have struck Krishna as he rested under a peepal tree.
- Old Somnath (Ahilyabai) temple: a short walk away; puja here continued for over 150 years.
- Prabhas Patan museum: fragments of the earlier temples.
- Gir National Park (Sasan): about 45 to 60 km, for families who wish to add a lion safari in season.
How to combine Somnath with other Jyotirlingas
Nageshwar, the other Jyotirlinga of Gujarat, is near Dwarka, about five hours up the coast. The natural plan is a 4- or 5-day Saurashtra yatra: Rajkot to Dwarka (Dwarkadhish, Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar), then Porbandar and Somnath, with two nights at each dham. See our Nageshwar Jyotirlinga guide for that side.
From Somnath, the Malwa Jyotirlingas (Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar) are the next closest by train via Ahmedabad. Families planning all twelve can use our 12 Jyotirlinga list and regional plan.
| Plan | Covers | Typical days |
|---|---|---|
| Somnath only | Temple, aartis, show, Triveni, Bhalka Tirth | 2 nights |
| Saurashtra yatra | Somnath, Nageshwar, Dwarkadhish, Bet Dwarka, Porbandar | 4 nights |
| Gujarat + Malwa | Above plus Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar | 7 to 8 nights |
How we can help
Our Somnath Jyotirlinga yatra (2 nights, 3 days, from ₹14,500 per person, pickup at Veraval or Diu) keeps you close to the temple for both the evening and morning aarti, with Bhalka Tirth and Triveni Sangam on the second day. If you want both Gujarat Jyotirlingas, the Somnath and Dwarka yatra (4 nights, 5 days, from ₹22,000 per person, Rajkot start) adds Dwarkadhish, Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar. All our single-temple plans are on the Jyotirlinga yatra page. To plan your dates, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).
Frequently asked questions
What are the Somnath temple timings?
The temple is generally open from 6 am to 10 pm every day. Aartis are held at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm, and the light-and-sound show follows the evening aarti at about 7:45 or 8 pm, except in the monsoon. Hours can be extended on Mahashivratri and Shravan Mondays, so check the Shree Somnath Trust notice before you go.
Is there an entry fee or online booking for Somnath darshan?
General darshan is free and needs no booking. Pujas such as Rudrabhishek and Bilva puja are booked on the official trust website, somnath.org, or at the counter inside the complex. A paid quick-darshan option is reported at modest rates; confirm the current fee with the trust. Never pay private WhatsApp numbers claiming to represent the temple.
Is there a dress code at Somnath temple?
There is no compulsory dhoti or saree rule for general darshan, but modest clothing is expected. Men usually wear kurta-pyjama or shirt and trousers, and women a saree, salwar suit or kurti. Shorts, sleeveless tops and very short skirts are not appropriate. Phones, bags and leather items must be left at the free cloakroom.
How many days are enough for Somnath?
Two nights is ideal. It lets you attend the 7 pm aarti and the light-and-sound show on the first evening, the quieter 7 am aarti next morning, and Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth and the old Ahilyabai temple in between. With Dwarka and Nageshwar added, plan four nights in total.
Which is the nearest airport and railway station to Somnath?
Veraval Junction, about 7 km away, is the main railway station, with direct trains from Ahmedabad and Rajkot. Diu airport is about 85 km (2 hours) but has few flights. Rajkot airport, about 195 km away, has more flights from Delhi and Mumbai and is the usual choice for families from north India.
Can we visit Somnath and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in one yatra?
Yes. Nageshwar is near Dwarka, about 230 to 250 km up the coast, roughly five hours by road. A 4- or 5-day Saurashtra yatra from Rajkot covers Dwarkadhish, Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar, Porbandar and Somnath comfortably, with two nights each at Dwarka and Somnath so no darshan is rushed.
Is Somnath suitable for senior citizens?
Yes. The temple is at ground level on a paved campus, with no climb, and wheelchairs are usually available near the entrance. The sea-facing promenade has benches. The main strain is standing in the queue on festival days, so choose a weekday and the 7 am aarti for the most comfortable darshan.
What is the story of Somnath temple’s rebuilding?
The temple was attacked in the early 11th century and damaged several times later. Ahilyabai Holkar built a nearby temple in the 1780s so worship could continue. After Independence, Sardar Patel supported reconstruction, and the present temple was consecrated on 11 May 1951 by President Dr Rajendra Prasad. It is now managed by the Shree Somnath Trust.