Somnath Mahadev Temple (Somnath Jyotirlinga)
Somnath, Gujarat · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹0
Rising in golden sandstone above the churning Arabian Sea, the Somnath Mahadev Temple is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. It stands at Prabhas Patan, near the port town of Veraval in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, on a shore where devotees have gathered for well over a thousand years. The word Somnath means "Lord of the Moon," and legend links the shrine to the Moon god Soma, who is said to have worshipped Shiva here to be freed of a curse. For pilgrims the temple is inseparable from the wider tirth of Prabhas Kshetra, associated in tradition with the final earthly episodes of Lord Krishna.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali restaurants along the Somnath temple approach road
- ✦The Somnath temple trust bhojanalaya serving simple sattvic pilgrim meals
- ✦Pure-veg dining halls and snack counters near the main temple gate (khichdi, farsan, chaas)
- ✦Pure-veg thali houses in the Veraval-Somnath belt (confirm the pure-veg board before ordering)
About
Rising in golden sandstone above the churning Arabian Sea, the Somnath Mahadev Temple is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, and among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India.
- It stands at Prabhas Patan, near the port town of Veraval in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, on a shore where devotees have gathered for well over a thousand years.
- The word Somnath means "Lord of the Moon," and legend links the shrine to the Moon god Soma, who is said to have worshipped Shiva here to be freed of a curse.
- For pilgrims the temple is inseparable from the wider tirth of Prabhas Kshetra, associated in tradition with the final earthly episodes of Lord Krishna.
- The temple has been damaged and rebuilt several times over the long course of its history.
- The structure seen today was reconstructed after Indian independence and consecrated in 1951, championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as a project of national restoration; the installation ceremony was performed by India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
- Built in the ornate Chalukya (Solanki) idiom and described as the Kailash Mahameru Prasad style, it features a soaring shikhara crowned by a kalash, a flag mast, and finely carved halls facing the open water.
- On the temple's southern edge stands the Baan Stambh, an arrow-pillar bearing an inscription noting the unobstructed sea route stretching south from this point — a striking navigational and devotional marker.
- Mornings and evenings bring the temple to life with aarti, conch calls, and the sound of the surf; an evening sound-and-light show narrates the shrine's story against the illuminated facade.
- Sunset over the sea, viewed from the temple courtyard, is unforgettable.
- For food, the pilgrim belt around the temple is reassuringly pure-vegetarian despite Veraval's fishing-port setting.
- Look for pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses along the temple approach road, where unlimited thalis arrive with rotli, shaak, dal, kadhi, rice and farsan.
- The temple trust's own bhojanalaya serves simple sattvic meals to pilgrims, and several pure-veg dining halls and snack counters near the main gate offer Gujarati snacks, khichdi, and chaas.
- Confirm the pure-veg board before ordering.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Somnath, Gujarat, 362268
How to Reach: Veraval is the nearest railway station (about 6-7 km), well connected to Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Junagadh. The nearest airports are Diu (about 85 km) and Rajkot (about 190 km); Keshod airport is closer but has limited flights. State and private buses and auto-rickshaws run frequently from Veraval to the temple at Prabhas Patan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Somnath so important among Hindu pilgrimage sites?
Somnath is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, self-manifested lingams considered especially sacred. Its sea-facing location at Prabhas Patan, linked in tradition to the Moon god Soma and to Lord Krishna's final episodes, adds to its spiritual significance.
Is there an entry fee to visit the Somnath temple?
No, entry to the Somnath Mahadev Temple is free. The evening sound-and-light show may carry a small separate ticket charge. Photography and mobile phones are generally restricted inside the main temple, so check the current rules at the gate.
When is the best time to visit Somnath?
October to March offers the most pleasant coastal weather. Time your visit for the morning or evening aarti, and stay for sunset over the Arabian Sea from the temple courtyard. Maha Shivratri and Kartik Purnima are the busiest festival days.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Somnath temple?
The pilgrim belt around the temple is reassuringly pure-vegetarian. You will find pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses along the temple approach road, the temple trust's own bhojanalaya serving simple sattvic meals, and pure-veg snack counters near the main gate. Confirm the pure-veg board before ordering.
What else can I see near Somnath?
Within the Prabhas tirth are the Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth associated with Lord Krishna. Day trips reach Junagadh's Uparkot Fort, the Girnar hills, the Asiatic lions of Gir (Sasan) and the coastal heritage town of Diu.