Somnath Temple Prasad Counter (Prasadalay)
Somnath, Gujarat · market
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry Fee₹0
Set within the sea-facing precinct of the Somnath temple — the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan — the Prasad Counter, or Prasadalay, is where most pilgrims pause before or after darshan. Operated by the Shree Somnath Trust that administers the shrine, it is a purpose-built stall rather than a bazaar: a row of counters near the main complex where sanctified offerings are dispensed in clean, sealed packs. For a coastal town better known for its temple spire and its crashing surf, this modest facility is a quietly essential stop, letting visitors carry home a tangible blessing from one of Hinduism's most revered sites.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Shree Somnath Trust bhojanalay (annakshetra) — simple sattvik pilgrim meals
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali houses along the Prabhas Patan temple road
- ✦Vegetarian restaurants near the Somnath bus stand serving Punjabi and South Indian dishes
About
Set within the sea-facing precinct of the Somnath temple — the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, standing on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan — the Prasad Counter, or Prasadalay, is where most pilgrims pause before or after darshan.
- Operated by the Shree Somnath Trust that administers the shrine, it is a purpose-built stall rather than a bazaar: a row of counters near the main complex where sanctified offerings are dispensed in clean, sealed packs.
- For a coastal town better known for its temple spire and its crashing surf, this modest facility is a quietly essential stop, letting visitors carry home a tangible blessing from one of Hinduism's most revered sites.
- What the counter sells is uniformly pure-vegetarian temple fare.
- Expect boxes of besan and boondi laddu, milky penda, and dry-fruit prasad, along with regional Gujarati sweets such as sukhadi and magaj that keep well for the journey.
- Everything is prepared to the Trust's standards, priced in fixed denominations and handed over in sealed packaging, so pilgrims need not carry outside sweets into the sanctum.
- Many buy a small pack to offer at the Jyotirlinga and a larger box to distribute among family back home; the counter's steady, orderly queues are part of the rhythm of a Somnath visit, especially on Mondays, during Shravan, and on Mahashivratri when footfall swells.
- The temple you see today was reconstructed after 1947 and consecrated in 1951, the latest chapter in a long history of damage and rebuilding across the centuries — a heritage best appreciated simply as one of the country's most storied pilgrimage sites.
- The Prasadalay sits comfortably within that pilgrim experience: practical, well-run and family-friendly.
- Combine it with the aarti, the evening light-and-sound show, and a walk along the Triveni Sangam ghats nearby.
- For a proper meal near the temple, the Prabhas Patan pilgrim belt is lined with pure-veg Gujarati thali houses serving unlimited Kathiyawadi thalis — rotla, shaak, dal, kadhi, khichdi and buttermilk.
- The Somnath Trust's own bhojanalay (annakshetra) offers simple, wholesome sattvik meals to pilgrims, and several vegetarian restaurants along the temple road and near the bus stand serve Punjabi and South Indian dishes, fresh dhokla, and thepla for the road.
- Gujarat is a dry state, so meals here are alcohol-free by default.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Somnath Temple Complex, Prabhas Patan, Somnath, Gujarat, 362268
How to Reach: Inside the Somnath temple complex at Prabhas Patan, about 6-7 km from Veraval town and its railway station. Veraval is the nearest railhead with connections to Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Junagadh; the nearest major airports are Rajkot and Diu. Local autos, taxis and buses run frequently to the temple, and the counter is a short walk from the main entrance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sold at the Somnath Temple Prasad Counter?
The Trust-run Prasadalay sells sanctified pure-vegetarian prasad — boxes of laddu, penda and dry-fruit sweets, plus Gujarati favourites like sukhadi and magaj — in fixed-price, sealed packs suitable for offering and for carrying home.
Who runs the prasad counter and is the food pure vegetarian?
It is operated by the Shree Somnath Trust, which administers the temple. All prasad is strictly pure-vegetarian, prepared to the Trust's standards and packed hygienically.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near the Somnath temple?
The Prabhas Patan pilgrim belt around the temple is full of pure-veg Gujarati thali houses serving unlimited Kathiyawadi thalis. The Somnath Trust's bhojanalay offers simple sattvik meals, and vegetarian restaurants near the temple road and bus stand serve Punjabi, South Indian and Gujarati snacks. Gujarat is a dry state, so meals are alcohol-free.
Do I need to buy prasad from the counter to offer at the shrine?
It is convenient to do so — buying sealed prasad from the official counter means you carry blessed, temple-approved offerings and need not bring outside sweets into the sanctum. Small packs are inexpensive; larger boxes suit distribution among family.
When is the counter open?
The counter generally operates through temple darshan hours, roughly 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily, with extended activity and larger crowds on Mondays, during Shravan and on Mahashivratri.