What Is This Pilgrimage?
Hallowed as the first and supreme among the Twelve Sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Temple stands majestically on the wind-swept shores of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Gujarat. Known historically as Prabhas Kshetra, the site is sanctified in the Rigveda and the Skanda Purana as the place where Chandra (the Moon God, Soma) regained his lost lustre and was cured of the curse of King Daksha after doing intense penance before Lord Shiva.
Throughout two millennia of turbulent Indian history, Somnath was repeatedly destroyed and plundered by foreign invaders—most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE—and rebuilt with indomitable resilience seven successive times. The present magnificent sandstone monument, conceived by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and consecrated in May 1951 by India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, stands as an everlasting symbol of India's spiritual immortality.
The Circuit — Sites Overview
| Sanctum / Site | Altitude / Type | District / Location | Presiding Deity | Key Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somnath Main Temple | Coastline | Sea-facing Nagara Shikhara (155 feet high) | Enshrines the gold-embossed Swayambhu Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva | |
| Baan Stambh (Arrow Pillar) | South Sea Wall | 7th-century navigational pillar | Inscribes an unbroken straight maritime meridian from Somnath to Antarctica | |
| Old Somnath Temple | Near Main Complex | Underground sanctum | Built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore in 1783 to protect the secret lingam | |
| Triveni Sangam | 2 km East | Hiran, Kapila & mythical Saraswati confluences | Sacred bathing ghat where Lord Krishna bathed before his Swargarohan | |
| Bhalka Tirth | 5 km West | Tree of the hunter Jara | Marks the sacred spot where Lord Krishna was struck by an arrow before his ascension |
Detailed Site Pages
- The Main Sanctum & Sabha Mandap: Built in the grand Kailash Mahameru Prasad style out of yellow-pink Dhrangadhra sandstone, the spire rises 155 feet with a 10-ton stone kalash. Inside, the massive lingam is bathed continuously in sacred Gangajal and milk amidst Vedic chants. Explore the Somnath Temple profile.
- The Arrow Pillar (Baan Stambh): Erected on the sea protection wall, an ancient Sanskrit inscription explains that if one sails due south from this pillar at latitude 20° 53' N, there is no terrestrial landmass until the South Pole (Antarctica)—a phenomenal testimony to ancient Indian astronomical and maritime cartography.
- Ahilyabai Somnath Mandir: Located adjacent to the modern temple, this subterranean stone temple was secretly constructed by the saintly Queen Ahilyabai Holkar in 1783 to ensure unbroken daily worship during Mughal oppression.
- Bhalka Tirth & Dehotsarg: A serene pilgrimage stop 5 km away where Lord Krishna was resting under a banyan tree when hit by the hunter Jara's arrow, concluding the Dwapara Yuga. Read our Bhalka Tirth Guide.
Recommended Itinerary
- Day 1 (Arrival & Evening Aarti): Arrive at Veraval / Somnath. Check in to Sagar Darshan or VIP guest house. Afternoon darshan at Ahilyabai Temple. Attend the 07:00 PM grand Sandhya Aarti at the main temple, followed by the spectacular 08:00 PM Sound & Light Show (Jay Somnath) projected onto the sea-facing stone shikhara.
- Day 2 (Triveni Sangam & Bhalka Tirth): 06:00 AM Mangala Aarti and Sparsh Darshan. Visit Triveni Sangam for holy snan and pitru puja. Drive to Bhalka Tirth and Gita Mandir. Afternoon visit to Prabhas Patan Museum showcasing carved pillars from the ancient ruined temples.
- Onward Extension: Depart by road or train for the second Gujarat Jyotirlinga at Nageshwar and the Char Dham holy city of Dwarka (230 km / 4.5 hours drive).
Best Time
The optimal season to visit Somnath is from October to March when coastal Gujarat experiences pleasant daytime temperatures (20°C to 28°C) and cool sea breezes. The auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri (February/March) and the holy month of Shravan (July/August) witness grand night-long aartis and sea processions with lakhs of visiting pilgrims.
How to Reach the Start Point
Somnath is exceptionally well-connected through Veraval junction:
- By Rail: Veraval Junction (VRL), located 6 km from the temple, connects directly to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Jabalpur. Somnath Railway Station (SMNH) also handles regional express passenger services.
- By Air: Keshod Airport (IXD) is 55 km away with scheduled flights from Mumbai. Rajkot International Airport (Hirasar - RAJ) is 200 km away (4 hours drive) with nationwide connections.
- By Road: Excellent multi-lane national highways connect Somnath to Porbandar (130 km), Dwarka (230 km), and Ahmedabad (410 km). Regular GSRTC AC sleeper buses operate continuously.
Accommodation
The Shree Somnath Trust (SST) operates vast, clean, and highly affordable pilgrim accommodations facing the ocean:
- Sagar Darshan Guest House: Premium sea-facing air-conditioned rooms directly adjacent to the temple perimeter (bookable on somnath.org).
- Maheshwari & Lilavati Atithi Bhavan: Large budget complexes with hundreds of AC and non-AC rooms, dormitories, and subsidized Bhojanalayas (meals for ₹70).
- Private Hotels: Ample 3-star family resorts along Somnath Bypass and Veraval town.
Rules & Dress Code
- Security Regulations: Mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches, leather belts, and bags are strictly forbidden inside the temple complex. Free, digitized cloakrooms and safe lockers operate outside the security gate.
- Dress Code: Traditional decent attire (dhotis, kurtas, sarees, salwar kameez). Western casuals like shorts, mini-skirts, and sleeveless tops are strictly barred by the temple trust.
- Darshan Timings: Temple opens daily from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Aartis occur at 07:00 AM (Mangala), 12:00 PM (Madhyahna), and 07:00 PM (Sandhya).
Costs
| Item / Service | Official Trust Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| General Darshan | ₹0 (FREE) | Smooth moving queue with sea view |
| VIP Darshan Pass | ₹200 – ₹500 | Priority entry through Trust counter |
| Sound & Light Show | ₹30 (Adult) / ₹15 (Child) | English & Hindi show at 8:00 PM |
| Somnath Trust AC Room | ₹1,200 – ₹2,500 | Clean sea-facing double room |
| Trust Bhojanalaya Meal | ₹70 – ₹100 | Unlimited hygienic Gujarati thali |
Route Logistics Blueprint & Field Risk Audit
Real-time road condition advisories, vehicle suitability checks, fuel outposts, and medical hubs.
- ✓Road Condition & Clearance Audit: Pothole sectors, high-ground-clearance mandates, and monsoon slides.
- ✓Fuel & EV Charging Outposts: Last reliable fuel stations, diesel availability, and emergency tyre repair.
- ✓Offline Navigation & Dead Zones: Topographical route maps for areas with zero mobile phone towers.
- ✓Direct Emergency Authorities: Verified numbers for highway patrol, mountain rescue, and civil hospitals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Somnath the First of the Twelve Jyotirlingas?
The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya begins with the verse: 'Saurashtre Somanatham Cha', establishing Somnath in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat as the foremost celestial manifestation of Lord Shiva's divine light.
What is the mystery of the Baan Stambh at Somnath Temple?
The Baan Stambh (Arrow Pillar) bears an ancient inscription stating that there is no obstruction of land between Somnath's coordinate and the South Pole of Antarctica along that longitudinal axis, an accurate geographic fact known centuries before modern satellite mapping.
Are mobile phones and smart devices allowed inside Somnath Temple?
No. The security perimeter strictly prohibits all electronic equipment, cameras, smartwatches, and leather articles. Free computer-operated locker counters are available outside the entrance.
How far is Nageshwar Jyotirlinga from Somnath?
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga near Dwarka is approximately 240 km northwest of Somnath, a 4.5 to 5-hour drive along the scenic Porbandar coastal highway.
Can devotees perform Rudra Abhishek at Somnath Temple?
Yes. Devotees can book official Somnath Trust Vedic pujas, including Laghurudra, Mahapuja, and Bilva Patra Abhishek, both at the temple trust counter and online through somnath.org.