Somnath, India: travel guide
Shiva's first Jyotirlinga shrine on Saurashtra's Arabian Sea coast
Site of the first and most sacred of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, rebuilt seven times and set against the Arabian Sea on the Saurashtra coast.
About Somnath
Somnath is a temple town on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat, where the Arabian Sea breaks against the shore beside one of Hinduism's most revered shrines. The Somnath Temple is regarded as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and it has been rebuilt many times through history.
The temple, with its tall shikhara and sea-facing setting, is the centre of any visit, especially at evening aarti. Nearby you can visit Triveni Sangam, where rivers meet the sea, Bhalka Tirth, associated with Krishna, and the Prabhas Patan Museum, which holds sculpture recovered from the area. Somnath Beach is calm for an evening walk.
Somnath suits pilgrims and travellers on a Saurashtra route that often includes Gir and Dwarka. The best time to visit Somnath is from October to March.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Somnath
Somnath Temple
temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry
The first of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Shiva, a grand seaside Chalukya-style temple rebuilt many times, with an evening sound-and-light show.
Triveni Sangam
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
The sacred confluence of the Hiran, Kapila and mythical Saraswati rivers as they meet the sea, a revered spot for ritual bathing and last rites.
Somnath Beach
Beach · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A breezy beach beside the temple with camel and horse rides, food stalls and sunset views over the Arabian Sea.
Bhalka Tirth
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The serene spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have been struck by a hunter's arrow and departed his earthly life, marked by a peaceful shrine.
Gita Mandir
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A marble temple near the Triveni Sangam with the verses of the Bhagavad Gita inscribed on its pillars, part of the Birla temple complex.
Veraval Port & Lighthouse
Viewpoint · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The busy fishing harbour of Veraval ~6 km away, one of India's largest, with a lighthouse and views of the dhow fleet and boat-building.
Prabhas Patan Museum
Museum · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A small museum near the temple displaying sculptures and architectural fragments of earlier Somnath temples destroyed and rebuilt over the centuries.
Suraj Mandir (Sun Temple)
temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An ancient ruined Sun Temple near Somnath, its weathered carvings echoing the older sacred architecture of Prabhas Patan.
Dehotsarg (Geeta Mandir Ghat)
temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A riverside ghat near Bhalka Tirth marking where Krishna was cremated, a tranquil place of pilgrimage on the Hiran river.
Panch Pandav Gufa
Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A small cave shrine near the temple linked to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata, a quiet spot of local pilgrim interest.
Things to do
- Somnath Jyotirlinga Darshan & Aarti Cultural · 1.5 h
- Somnath Sound & Light Show Cultural · 1 h · from INR 100 per person
- Somnath Beach Sunset Activity · 1 h · from INR 100 per person
- Triveni & Krishna Pilgrim Circuit Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Somnath Pilgrimage Tour 5 h · from INR 900
- Somnath & Gir National Park Trip 11 h · from INR 3,500
- Somnath & Diu Day Trip 11 h · from INR 2,800
Where to stay in Somnath
- Temple Area about INR 2,000 per night
Sacred shrine with basic pilgrimage accommodation
Hotels
- Lords Inn Somnath 4-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,000 per night
- The Fern Residency Somnath 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
- Hotel Sun Temple 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Hotel Sationa (Sea View) 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Sundaram Resort 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
- Sagar Darshan Trust Guest House 2-star · INR 800 to INR 2,000 per night
Where to eat
- Shree Somnath Bhojanalay Gujarati, Kathiyawadi · about INR 300 per person
- Sagar Restaurant Gujarati, North Indian, South Indian · about INR 300 per person
- Toran Dining Hall Gujarati, Kathiyawadi · about INR 280 per person
- Geeta Restaurant Gujarati, South Indian · about INR 200 per person
- Maru Restaurant Gujarati, Kathiyawadi · about INR 220 per person
- Patel Sweets & Farsan Sweets, Snacks, Gujarati · about INR 120 per person
- Hotel Sun Temple Restaurant Gujarati, North Indian, Chinese · about INR 350 per person
- Lords Inn Restaurant Gujarati, North Indian, Continental · about INR 450 per person
Getting to Somnath
Nearest airport: Diu (DIU), about 60 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Somnath
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Somnath?
- The highest-rated places in our Somnath guide are Somnath Temple, Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth, Gita Mandir, Somnath Beach.
- Where should I stay in Somnath?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Somnath: Temple Area.
- How do I get around Somnath?
- Ways to get around Somnath covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Taxi, Walking.