Somnath Temple, Gujarat: Darshan Timings, Story & How to Reach
श्री सोमनाथ ज्योतिर्लिंगLord of the Moon.
Shree Somnath, first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, stands on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan near Veraval. The legend of the Moon, the temple’s long history, darshan and aarti timings, the phone rule, Trust rooms and the easiest ways to reach.
- 6 am–10 pm darshan, every day
- 3 aartis 7 am, 12 noon, 7 pm
- 0.5 km from Somnath station
- 1st of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Where is Somnath temple and why is it sacred?
Shree Somnath temple stands on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan, near Veraval in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. It is the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the Shiva Purana list. Tradition says the Moon worshipped Shiva here to be freed from a curse. Darshan is open 6 am to 10 pm daily, with aartis at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm.
Somnath means “Lord of Soma” — Soma being the Moon. The temple rises on the very edge of the Saurashtra coast, its shikhara facing the open Arabian Sea, and the evening aarti with the sound of the waves behind it is one of the most moving moments on any Jyotirlinga yatra. Entry and darshan are free, and the temple is open all year.
Somnath is the first name in the 12 Jyotirlinga stotram — “सौराष्ट्रे सोमनाथं च” — so many families begin their Jyotirlinga journey here. It is managed by the Shree Somnath Trust, and every online service (rooms, pujas, prasad, live darshan) is offered only on the Trust’s own website, somnath.org.
The legend of Somnath
The Shiva Purana and the Skanda Purana tell of the Moon, a father-in-law’s curse and Shiva’s mercy on the shore of Prabhas. This is how the story is told.
- A curse on the MoonChandra, the Moon, was married to the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha but loved only Rohini. When the other sisters were neglected and his warning was ignored, Daksha cursed the Moon to waste away.
- Prayer at PrabhasAs the Moon’s light faded, plants and people suffered. On Brahma’s advice, Chandra came to Prabhas on the Saurashtra coast and worshipped Shiva for a long time.
- Wax and waneShiva could not undo the curse completely, so he softened it: the Moon would shrink through one fortnight and grow again through the next. This, it is believed, is how the waxing and waning began.
- The Lord of SomaChandra, also called Soma, asked Shiva to remain at Prabhas for ever. Shiva stayed as a Jyotirlinga, and the shrine came to be called Somnath — the Lord of Soma.
This is a story of faith, told as tradition rather than history. For pilgrims, it is why Somnath is linked so closely with the Moon and its monthly rhythm.
Somnath temple darshan and aarti timings
| Temple hours | 6:00 am – 10:00 pm, every day |
| Aarti | 7:00 am, 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm |
| Entry | Free. Darshan needs no ticket |
| Light and sound show | “Jay Somnath”, nightly except in the monsoon, around 8 pm (the Trust’s pages give 8–9 pm and 7:45–8:45 pm) — confirm on arrival. Ticketed |
| Phones and cameras | Not allowed inside — mobiles, cameras, smartwatches and other gadgets go in the free cloakroom; photography is prohibited |
| Dress | Modest clothing (sarees, dhotis, trousers, T-shirts and skirts are fine); mini skirts and disrespectful dress are not permitted |
Timings and rules as published by the Shree Somnath Trust (FAQ page, checked 8 Oct 2026). Festival days can bring changes — check somnath.org before you travel.
Somnath festivals and dates
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Kartik Purnima fair | 5-day fair around Kartik Purnima — 24 Nov 2026 per panchang | Somnath Trust (fair); date per panchang, confirm locally |
| Mahashivratri 2027 | 6 Mar 2027 | Drik Panchang |
| Somnath Sthapana Divas | 11 May every year | Somnath Trust — anniversary of the 1951 consecration |
| Shravan 2027 | Not checked yet | Gujarat follows the Amanta calendar, so Shravan starts about two weeks after North India |
The temple is open all year. October to March is the most comfortable time on the coast; the light and sound show pauses in the monsoon. Shravan, Mahashivratri and the Kartik Purnima fair bring the biggest crowds.
How to reach Somnath temple
By air
Diu airport is the nearest, about 85 km away. Rajkot (about 200 km) and Ahmedabad (about 390 km) have more flights.
By rail
Somnath railway station is just 0.5 km from the temple, and Veraval Junction about 7 km.
By road
Buses run from Veraval, Junagadh, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Junagadh is about 90 km and Dwarka about 230 km by road.
Nearby shrines
The Trust runs a “Tirth Darshan” bus to nearby shrines from the main gate at 8:30 am and 3:30 pm. Bhalka Tirth and the Triveni Sangam are within 20 km.
A two-day Somnath yatra
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Day 1Arrive · evening aarti
Reach Somnath by rail (Somnath or Veraval) or from Diu airport. Check in, morning or afternoon darshan, then the 7 pm aarti by the sea and the light and sound show.
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Day 2Early darshan · nearby tirthas
Early darshan at 6–7 am, then Bhalka Tirth, the Triveni Sangam and Ahilyabai’s temple (or the Trust’s Tirth Darshan bus). Continue to Dwarka (about 230 km) or Gir, or head home.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Leave the phone behindPhones, cameras and smartwatches are not allowed inside. Use the free cloakroom and shoe house at the gate, or leave them in the car or room.
- Book only on somnath.orgGuest-house rooms, pujas, donations and prasad are offered only on the Trust’s official website. The Trust warns of fake WhatsApp and phone “booking agents” — never pay them.
- Elders and wheelchairsThe seafront site is flat. The Trust provides wheelchairs, golf carts and a lift for elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.
- Time it for aartiThe 7 pm aarti by the sea is the one most pilgrims remember. Arrive early, then stay for the light and sound show (not in the monsoon).
- Don't miss nearbyBhalka Tirth, the Triveni Sangam and Ahilyabai’s old Somnath temple are close by. Sasan Gir is about 65 km and Diu about 85 km.
- Somnath and DwarkaMany families pair Somnath with Dwarka (about 230 km) and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga beyond it, in a 3–4 day Saurashtra yatra.
A short history of Somnath temple
Somnath has been attacked and rebuilt several times, and the temple you see today is a 20th-century reconstruction on the ancient site. The best-known raid was by Mahmud of Ghazni in January 1026 (two Persian sources give 1027). In about 1782 Rani Ahilyabai Holkar built a separate, smaller Somnath temple nearby so that worship could continue — it still stands and is worth a visit.
In November 1947 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel resolved to rebuild the main temple. The jyotirlinga was consecrated (Pran-Pratishtha) on 11 May 1951 by President Dr Rajendra Prasad, at K. M. Munshi’s invitation. In January 2026 the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv” marked 1,000 years since the 1026 raid, and on 11 May 2026 the 75th anniversary of the consecration was celebrated; the Prime Minister attended both.
Plan your Somnath darshan with Suzu
We plan Somnath trips on their own, Somnath–Dwarka–Nageshwar yatras and the full 12 Jyotirlinga journey — trains or flights, cars, stays and darshan timings, with elders in mind.
Questions pilgrims ask
What are Somnath temple darshan timings?
The temple is open from 6 am to 10 pm every day, and aartis are held at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm, according to the Shree Somnath Trust. Darshan is free.
Can I take my mobile phone inside Somnath temple?
No. Mobiles, cameras, smartwatches and other electronic gadgets are not allowed, and photography is prohibited. Free cloakrooms and a shoe house are available at the gate.
How do I book a room at Somnath Trust guest houses?
Only on the official website, somnath.org. The Trust warns about fake WhatsApp and phone booking agents, so never pay anyone else for Trust rooms, pujas or prasad.
What time is the Somnath light and sound show?
Around 8 pm every night except during the monsoon. The Trust’s own pages give slightly different times (8–9 pm and 7:45–8:45 pm), so confirm on arrival. It is ticketed.
Why is it called Somnath?
Soma is another name for the Moon. Tradition says the Moon worshipped Shiva at Prabhas to be freed from Daksha’s curse, and Shiva stayed here as the Lord of Soma — Somnath.
Who rebuilt the present Somnath temple?
After Sardar Patel resolved to rebuild it in November 1947, the jyotirlinga was consecrated by President Dr Rajendra Prasad on 11 May 1951.
How to reach Somnath temple?
Somnath railway station is 0.5 km from the temple and Veraval Junction about 7 km. The nearest airport is Diu, about 85 km away; Rajkot is about 200 km.
Is there a dress code at Somnath temple?
Yes, modest clothing. Sarees, dhotis, trousers, T-shirts and skirts are fine, but mini skirts and disrespectful dress are not permitted.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Shree Somnath Trust — FAQs
- Shree Somnath Trust — Somnath Darshan
- Shree Somnath Trust — Guest-house booking
- PM India — PM visits Somnath temple (May 2026)
- The Week — Somnath Swabhiman Parv (10 Jan 2026)
- Shiva Mahapurana, Koti Rudra Samhita (Sanskrit)
- Wikipedia — Somnath Temple
- Drik Panchang — Mahashivratri 2027
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
