Somnath Temple Gujarat - Inside Travel Guide

Somnath which means “lord of the moon” is a holy place and houses one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is a town that acquires its name from the religion, mythology, and legends surrounding it. Somnath is not only a temple town but also a place of long-time tourism and daily life.

A large number of temples in the area beautify the spiritual atmosphere of this temple. Besides that, Somnath provides museums, beaches, and many other attractions too.

The Somnath temple and Somnath beach are the foremost places to explore here. Some other spots of exploration of this region are Balukha Tirtha, Gita Mandir, Somnath Museum, and Kamnath Mahadev Temple.

Table of Contents

Location Somnath temple
Timing of Darshan, Aarti and Light-Sound Show
Entry Ticket Rates Somnath temple
Dress Code Somnath temple
How to Reach the Temple
Best time to visit Somnath Temple
Some Other Interesting Facts

Location Somnath temple

Somnath Prabhas Patan, Junagarh, Gujarat – 362268

Timing of Darshan, Aarti and Light-Sound Show

The temple gets open at 6.00 in the morning for Darshan and one can take the Darshan till 9.00 pm. The Aarti takes place around 3 times at the temple. Therefore, it is easier for the devotees to attend the Aarti at 7 am, 12.00 in the afternoon and 7.00 in the evening. If you want to enjoy the “Jay Somnath” light and sound show, then reach there by 8.00 pm. The show timing is from 8 pm to 9 pm.

Entry Ticket Rates Somnath temple

There is no entry fee for the tourists to have the Darshan of Somnath temple. The entrance ticket rate at this place is the formal rate for entry to and exploring the place at its opening times.

Dress Code Somnath temple

Recently, Shree Somnath Trust had put on a dress code for Somnath temple and banned shorts and any improper dress. International tourists or NRI also follow these rules when they come for Darshan. Not long ago, this rule is also followed by the guards of the temple. Now, need to for the devotees to follow the Somnath Temple Dress Code rules and regulations.

How to Reach the Temple

By Air – The closest airport from Somnath is Keshad at a distance of 55 km from the city. You can also find buses and cars traveling between Keshod and Somnath on a regular basis.

By Railway – The closest railhead having a distance of 7 km at Veraval provides train facility to Ahmedabad and other cities in Gujarat.

By Road – The State Transport Corporation and private coaches run regularly to other cities of the region. Somnath has a good road network connecting nearby places like Veraval (7 km), Bhavnagar (266 km), Ahmedabad (889 km), Porbandar (122 km) and Junagarh (85 km).

Best time to visit Somnath Temple

The months from September to March are ideal to explore Somnath as the winters are too cold. If you don’t like crowds, then it is better to visit Somnath during summer and monsoon season. There are extreme heat and humidity at this place during these months, so visit Somnath during winter months when the heat is bearable.

Some Other Interesting Facts

It took 5 years to build the present Somnath temple from 1947- 1951. Then, the inauguration was done by the First President of India, Dr.Rajendra Prasad.

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The position of the temple is quite fascinating. There is no land present between the seashore having temple till Antarctica.

It is said that Somnath temple is the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas which our nation has.

Believers say that the Shivalinga of this temple has been hiding safely inside its hollowness (Syamantak Mani), the Philosopher’s stone connected with Lord Krishna.

The temple finds its reference even in the most ancient texts of Hindus such as Shivpuram, Skandpuram, Shreemad Bhagavat and Rig-Veda. It signifies the importance of this temple as the most famous holy sites of India.

The legend has it that Moon God was the one who built the first structure of this temple with gold. The Sun God used silver for its erection while Lord Krishna used sandalwood for the same.