VIP Darshan
OfficialPre-booked access through a priority queue.
30 min
Undisturbed darshan of the Jyotirlinga.
₹300
Book Official 
Timings
Opens 4–5 AM
See full schedule below
Main Festivals
4 major
Maha Shivaratri
Dress Code
Traditional
Details below
Entry
Free
Pujas are paid
Book Puja via Darshya
Verified priests, video proof, prasad delivery to your door
Official Temple Booking
Direct booking on the temple's official site
Opens the temple's official website in a new tab
Watch Live Darshan
Real-time video stream from the sanctum
About Somnath Temple
History
Somnath, the "Lord of the Moon," is the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas. According to legend, Chandra (the Moon God) built the original temple in gold after being cursed and redeemed by Shiva. Ravana then rebuilt it in silver, Krishna in sandalwood, and Raja Bhimdev in stone. The temple stood at the confluence of Kapila, Hiran and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Between 1024 and 1706 CE it was plundered and destroyed six times — by Mahmud of Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, Muzaffar Shah, Mahmud Begada, Aurangzeb and others — and rebuilt each time. Each reconstruction is an act of civilisational memory. The present temple in Maru-Gurjara architectural style was inaugurated on 11 May 1951 by India's first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, following a project initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1947.
Significance
The Shiva Purana places Somnath as the Aadi (first) Jyotirlinga — the starting point of any Jyotirlinga Yatra. The shrine is also the southernmost point of mainland India with no land between it and the South Pole along its meridian (marked by the Baan Stambh pillar).
About the Deity
The Shiva lingam at Somnath is described as "Jyotirlinga" — a self-manifested pillar of light. The current lingam is set in a richly decorated sanctum facing east toward the Arabian Sea.
Pujas Offered (7)
Morning Aarti Sponsorship
OfficialSponsor the 7:00 AM aarti and receive prasad in your family's name.
1 hour
Collective merit for the family; name announced inside the sanctum.
₹1,100
Book Official Rudrabhishek
Classical Rudram abhishek with panchamrit and Triveni Sangam jal.
1.5 hours Video proof
Health, wealth and harmony in the household.
₹1,100
Book NowLaghu Rudra
11 priests chanting Rudram 11 times each with coordinated abhishek.
Half day Video proof
Major dosha relief and business prosperity.
₹5,100
Book NowMaha Rudra
11 priests chanting Rudram 121 times with full Yagna.
Full day Video proof
Highest form of Shiva abhishek; granted once in a lifetime sankalp.
₹21,000
Book NowAnnakshetra Bhojan Seva
Sponsor one day of meals for pilgrims at the temple annakshetra.
1 day Video proof
Anna-daan is said to exceed even gold daan in merit.
₹5,100
Book NowLight & Sound Show VIP Seating
OfficialPre-reserved front-row seating for the evening history narration by Amitabh Bachchan's voice.
55 min
Experience of the temple's 2,000 year history.
₹200
Book Official Festivals & Events
- Maha ShivaratriFebruary / March
- Kartik PurnimaNovember
- Somnath PatotsavVaishakh Purnima (May)
- Shravan MaasJuly / August
Plan Your Visit
How to Reach
Nearest Airport
Diu Airport (80 km) or Rajkot Airport (200 km)
Nearest Railway
Veraval Junction (7 km)
By Road
Well connected by state highway from Ahmedabad (410 km, 7-8 hrs), Rajkot (190 km) and Junagadh (85 km). GSRTC buses and private taxis ply regularly.
Where to Stay
- Hotel The Fern Residency Somnath
- Lords Inn Somnath
- Hotel Sundaram (budget)
- Sagar Darshan Atithigruh (trust-run guest house)
- Maheshwari Samaj Dharamshala
- Lilavati Atithi Bhavan (near the temple)
Nearby Attractions
- Bhalka Tirth (where Krishna left for Vaikuntha) — 5 km
- Triveni Sangam (confluence of Kapila, Hiran, Saraswati) — 2 km
- Panch Pandav Gufa
- Suraj Mandir (Sun Temple, Prabhas Patan)
- Dehotsarg Tirth
- Gir National Park (60 km — Asiatic lions)
Opening Hours
Morning
Temple opens 6:00 AM; Morning aarti 7:00 AM
Afternoon
Darshan continues 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM aarti
Evening
Evening aarti 7:00 PM; Light & Sound show 8:00 PM; closes 9:30 PM
Dress Code
Modest Indian attire recommended. Shorts, skirts above the knee and sleeveless tops are discouraged. Electronics (phones, cameras, watches, pens) are banned — free cloakroom outside the entrance.
Rules & Guidelines
- Absolutely no electronic items inside — phones, smart watches, cameras
- Free cloakroom outside Gate 1 for all belongings
- Photography of the inner sanctum is strictly prohibited
- Do not touch the walls or lingam outside of paid abhishek
- Maintain silence in the sanctum
- Remove leather items (belts, wallets)
Pilgrim's Note
The Light and Sound show at 8 PM every evening is a must-attend — it narrates the temple's destruction and resurrection with projection mapping on the spire. Phones banned inside the temple; arrange to keep them at the cloakroom before approach.
Photo Gallery
Tips from Devotees
“Booked the Light & Sound VIP seating plus next-morning VIP darshan — seamless flow. Prasad delivery reached home in 4 days.”
KP
Ketan Patel
Ahmedabad
“Laghu Rudra was performed with full vidhi. Eleven priests chanting in unison at the Aadi Jyotirlinga is indescribable.”
SR
Sushma Rao
Hyderabad
“Organised a family visit during Kartik Purnima. Booking through Darshya saved us hours.”
AM
Ashish Mehra
Delhi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somnath open during monsoon?
Yes, open year-round. Monsoon (June–September) has pleasant weather but can be windy.
Can I offer flowers at the Jyotirlinga?
Offerings are collected by priests at the entrance and placed on your behalf. Direct touching of the lingam is only via paid abhishek.
Where to stay near the temple?
Sagar Darshan Atithigruh run by the trust is clean, affordable and 100 m from the temple.
Is parking available?
Yes, free parking at Gate 2. Walk ~300 m to the main temple.
Can I see the original Jyotirlinga?
The present lingam is consecrated per Shastra and is the pratishtha of the same Jyotirlinga that has been worshipped for millennia, despite multiple destructions.
