Shree Somnath Temple — Attraction in Gujarat

The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

According to the legend the Temple was first built by the Moon God, later it was renovated with silver by Ravana, then by wood by lord Krishna, and was finally rebuilt by one of the Pandavas, named Bhima. The temple’s spiritual attraction is enhanced by the evening aarti or prayers which provide an essence of spiritual enlightenment. This is marked by chiming of bells, drum beating and crashing of cymbals marking the echoing of submission and offering to Lord Shiva.

Devotees can visit the Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple between the hours of 6:00 am and 21:30 pm for darshan.

Aarti Timing :-

Aarti in the morning, 7:00

Aarti in the afternoon, 12:00

Afternoon Aarti at 7:00 PM

The light and sound show at the temple is a splendid experience and should not be missed. A nominal charge is levied for it. The timings for the light show are 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm.

Note:- Electronic device(watch, mobile, camera etc), Leather Item, Luggage Bags are Not allowed in this temple.

About Place: The intricately carved honey-coloured Somnath temple on the western edge of the state is believed to be the place where the first of the twelve holy jyotirlingas emerged in India – a spot where Shiva appeared as a fiery column of light. The temples lies at the meeting of Kapila, Hiran and Sarasvati rivers and the waves of the Arabian Sea ebb and flow touching the shore on which it is constructed. The ancient temple’s timeline can be traced from 649 BC but is believed to be older than that. The present form was reconstructed in 1951. Colourful dioramas of the Shiva story line the north side of the temple garden, though it’s hard to see them through the hazy glass. A one-hour sound-and-light show in Amitabh Bachchan’s baritone highlights the temple nightly at 7.45pm.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, former deputy prime minister of India, visited and ordered the rebuilding of the Somnath Temple following Junagadh’s incorporation into the Union of India. In 1951, the temple was constructed. In recognition, a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is displayed in front of it.

Brief History: It’s said that Somraj (the moon god) first built a temple in Somnath, made of gold; this was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, by Krishna in wood and by Bhimdev in stone. The current serene, symmetrical structure was built to traditional designs on the original coastal site: it’s painted a creamy colour and boasts a little fine sculpture. The large, black Shiva lingam at its heart is one of the 12 most sacred Shiva shrines, known as jyotirlinga.

A description of the temple by Al-Biruni, an Arab traveller, was so glowing that it prompted a visit in 1024 by a most unwelcome tourist – the legendary looter Mahmud of Ghazni from Afghanistan. At that time, the temple was so wealthy that it had 300 musicians, 500 dancing girls and even 300 barbers. Mahmud of Ghazni took the town and temple after a two-day battle in which it’s said 70,000 defenders died. Having stripped the temple of its fabulous wealth, Mahmud destroyed it. So began a pattern of destruction and rebuilding that continued forcenturies. The temple was again razed in 1297, 1394 and finally in 1706 by Aurangzeb, the Mughal ruler. After that, the temple wasn’t rebuilt until 1950.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Somnath Temple is in the cooler months of October to February, though the site is open all through the year. Shivratri (usually in February or March) and Kartik Purnima (close to Diwali) are celebrated with great...

A visit to the Shree Somnath Temple is not merely a trip but a profoundly moving pilgrimage experience. As the first among the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, it stands as a powerful symbol of spiritual resilience and unwavering faith, majestically situated on the shore of the Arabian Sea. Atmosphere and Spirituality (5/5) The overwhelming feeling at Somnath is one of intense peace and deep historical sanctity. The temple’s location, where the waves of the ocean continuously touch the shore, adds a unique and powerful dimension to the worship. Many visitors report a profound, goosebump-inducing moment when standing before the main Jyotirlinga in the inner sanctum. The air is thick with positive energy and centuries of devotion. Architecture and Scenery (5/5) The current temple is a magnificent example of the Chaulkya (or Māru-Gurjara) style of architecture. Its creamy, symmetrical structure, with intricate carvings and a soaring shikhar (spire), is a feast for the eyes. • Sea View: The temple complex offers stunning, panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. • Illumination: The evening illumination of the temple is spectacular, making the structure glow against the night sky. Visitor Experience and Facilities (4/5) The Shree Somnath Trust manages the complex very efficiently, ensuring a relatively smooth experience for a site that draws millions of pilgrims. • Darshan: The queue management is generally well-organized, though heavy crowds during festivals (like Mahashivratri) are inevitable. • Security & Cloak Rooms: Security is extremely strict (no mobile phones, cameras, wallets, belts, etc., allowed inside). The mandatory locker and shoe-house facilities are efficient and free of charge, located conveniently near the entrance. • Special Services: Facilities like wheel-chairs and golf carts are available for senior citizens and physically challenged visitors. • Accommodation: The Somnath Trust runs excellent, budget-friendly guest houses nearby, often with sea-facing rooms, which are highly recommended for pilgrim stays. Must-Do: The Light and Sound Show Do not miss the nightly Light and Sound Show ("Jay Somnath") (usually 7:45 PM to 8:45 PM). It uses the temple façade as a backdrop to narrate the temple's tumultuous history, its destruction, and its multiple reconstructions—a moving tribute to the faith of the Indian people. Points to Note: • Strict Prohibitions: Be prepared to surrender all electronic items at the locker facility. This is a non-negotiable security measure. • Dress Code: Modest and respectful dressing is expected, fitting the sanctity of the shrine. Conclusion: A trip to Somnath Temple is a spiritual and cultural landmark that must be on every traveler's list. It is a powerful confluence of history, magnificent architecture, and a profound devotional atmosphere that truly lives up to its status as the...

Somnath Temple is the first Jyotirlinga among Dwadasha Jyotirlinga located in Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Somnath Mahadev was worshipped by Chandra dev to overcome his curse given by Daksha Prajapati.

Soma means= moon 🌙

That's why we call Shiva as Somnath Mahadev

Somnath temple is located beside the Arabian sea and we can Baan Stamb in the temple which indicates the direction for South pole this pillar existed from long time ancient scholars placed the Baan Stamb in the temple, there will be no land in the arrow direction to reach south side of earth.

As well known this temple was destroyed multiple times by Invaders to loot the gold from the temple.

After we got Independence Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel ji taken initiative to reconstruct the temple.

To visit Somnath temple no need to pay ticket charges for Darshan it's absolutely free if you want to do any pooja in temple we need to pay money,and the temple authority accepts donations from everyone,if your willing to do donate it's up to you

Once upon a time they allowed cameras in temple premises now restricted to get mobile in temple premises and also luggage bags were not allowed too.

For Mobiles there are separate counters. For luggage bags we have separate counters. Even for Slippers we also have separate counters, all these counters were free no charges will be collected and This counters were managed by Sri Somnath Trust Authority.

We visited Somnath temple early at 6:00 AM in the morning trust me this is the best time to go for Somnath Mahadev Darshan we can see Harati (ceremony in which lights are lit and offered up to god's)will be offering to Mahadev which was pleasant to eyes 👀 and heart ❤️ and also in the morning there will be no decoration for Somnath Mahadev We can see original Somnath Mahadev without any Ornaments and Garlands👌👏👏👏.

I felt so happy by visiting early morning 🌄 Darshan.

Inside Somnath temple they sell a variety of Prasad like Churma laddu,peanut chikki etc majority sweets were made of Wheat, ghee and Sugar.

We can feel Divinity in this temple for sure😃 and also we can see destroyed temple part inside temple.

A big statue of Vallabhabhai Patel is placed in front of the temple entrance.

If you want to donate money to Bhramin from Somnath Mahadev temple we can donate through Somnath temple trust which starts from 150/-

Dwaraka is 240km far from Somnath so if you planned for a Dwaraka visit make sure to visit Somnath as well it will be a memorable journey😃👌

Click on the link below to watch the full video of Somnath Mahadev...