Tulsishyam Hot Springs & Shri Tulsishyam Temple
Somnath, Gujarat · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Tucked deep inside the folds of the Gir forest, roughly a two-hour drive from Somnath, Tulsishyam is one of Saurashtra's most atmospheric pilgrim halts — a place where a cluster of naturally warm sulphur springs bubbles up beside a small, ancient shrine to Lord Krishna in his gentle "Shyam" (dark-hued) form. The setting is what makes it special: forested ridges, resident langurs, the occasional flash of a peacock, and a stillness that feels a long way from the crowds of the coastal temples. Pilgrims traditionally combine a bath in the springs with darshan, treating the visit as both a physical and a spiritual cleansing.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Temple trust bhojanalaya serving a simple pure-veg Gujarati thali to pilgrims
- ✦Basic tea-and-snack stalls near the hot springs (pure-veg)
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali restaurants in Una (nearest town)
About
Tucked deep inside the folds of the Gir forest, roughly a two-hour drive from Somnath, Tulsishyam is one of Saurashtra's most atmospheric pilgrim halts — a place where a cluster of naturally warm sulphur springs bubbles up beside a small, ancient shrine to Lord Krishna in his gentle "Shyam" (dark-hued) form.
- The setting is what makes it special: forested ridges, resident langurs, the occasional flash of a peacock, and a stillness that feels a long way from the crowds of the coastal temples.
- Pilgrims traditionally combine a bath in the springs with darshan, treating the visit as both a physical and a spiritual cleansing.
- The hot springs are the headline draw.
- Three small kunds (tanks) collect water of noticeably different temperatures — one comfortably warm, one hotter, and one hotter still — fed by mineral-rich sulphur sources, a natural geological curiosity in this part of Gujarat.
- Beside them stands the Tulsishyam temple, which local tradition holds to be very old; devotees revere it as a Krishna shrine, and a separate temple to Rukmini sits on a small hill reached by a short climb of steps, rewarding visitors with a fine view over the forest canopy.
- A short distance away lies the well-known "gravity hill" or magnetic road, where vehicles left in neutral appear to roll gently uphill — an optical-illusion oddity that has made Tulsishyam a favourite curiosity stop for road-trippers exploring the Gir and Somnath circuit.
- Because it sits within the wider Gir landscape, Tulsishyam pairs naturally with a Gir (Sasan) safari or a Somnath–Diu itinerary, though the road in winds through forest and is best driven in daylight.
- Facilities are simple and pilgrim-focused; the emphasis is on quiet worship, a warm dip, and the pleasure of a remote, green corner of Saurashtra.
- Food here is straightforward and reassuringly pure-vegetarian.
- The temple trust typically runs a simple bhojanalaya serving a no-frills Gujarati thali of dal, rotli, sabzi and rice to visiting pilgrims, alongside a few basic tea-and-snack stalls near the springs.
- As Tulsishyam is remote, most travellers eat at these trust-run pure-veg counters or carry provisions; for a wider choice of pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali restaurants, the nearest options are back in Una and along the Somnath belt.
- Gujarat is a dry state, so no alcohol is served or permitted anywhere in the area.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Tulsishyam, Gir forest belt (near Una), Gir Somnath / Amreli district border, Somnath, Gujarat, 362560
How to Reach: Tulsishyam lies deep in the Gir forest, about 65 km from Una and roughly 90 km (2–2.5 hours by road) from Somnath, reached via forest roads best driven in daylight. The nearest railheads are at Una/Delvada and Veraval; the closest airports are Diu and Rajkot. There is no public transport into the site, so a private car or taxi from Somnath, Una or Diu is the practical way to visit, often combined with a Gir safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Tulsishyam hot springs?
They are natural sulphur springs that emerge from the ground beside the temple, collected in three small kunds (tanks) of noticeably different temperatures. Pilgrims traditionally take a warm dip here as part of their visit.
Is Tulsishyam a Krishna temple?
Yes. The main shrine is dedicated to Lord Krishna in his 'Shyam' form and is revered as very old by local tradition. A separate Rukmini temple sits on a nearby hill, reached by a short flight of steps.
What is the 'gravity hill' near Tulsishyam?
A short stretch of road nearby is famous as a 'gravity' or magnetic hill, where a vehicle left in neutral appears to roll uphill. It is widely understood to be an optical illusion, and has become a popular curiosity stop for road-trippers.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Tulsishyam?
The temple trust typically runs a simple pure-vegetarian bhojanalaya serving a basic Gujarati thali, and there are a few tea-and-snack stalls near the springs. For a wider choice of pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali restaurants, head back towards Una or the Somnath belt. No meat, seafood or alcohol is available in the area.
How do I reach Tulsishyam?
It is about 65 km from Una and 90 km (2–2.5 hours) from Somnath through Gir forest roads, best driven in daylight. There is no public transport to the site, so a private car or taxi from Somnath, Una or Diu is the usual option, often paired with a Gir safari.