Somnath Temple - Considered To Be the First Of The 12 Jyotirlingas Of Lord Shiva - Gujarat - India

Somnath temple, the first in the twelve jyothirlingas, is located at the Viraval port - Prabhas Pattan in Saurashtra - Gujarat India. Somnath is considered to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva and is a revered pilgrimage center in India. The Someshwar Mahadev temple stands tall among the temples of India.

Location: In Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval in Saurashtra Gujarat India
Built in: 7th Century
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Significance: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva
Photography: Not allow
Entry Charges: Free
Main Festivals: Maha Shivratri
Visiting Timing: 30 Mins
Best time to visit: October to March
Timing Of Darshan: From 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Aarti Timing: 7:00 am, 12:00 Noon and 7:00 pm

Somnath Temple is located about 79 kilometers from Junagadh in the Prabhas Kshetra near Veraval and the most legendary temples of the western coast of India. Somnath Temple is the ideal sacred place of the Hindus that survived the ravages of time. The most sacred among the 12 jyotirlings in India, Somnath Temple is located in Veraval region of Junagadh district. Somnath means ‘Lord of Moon’ and the town gets its name from the Somnath Temple. In 1783 Maharani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore built another Somnath temple next to the original site, which was in serious disrepair. After Independence, Sardar Patel visited Somnath, was deeply moved by the poor condition of the original temple site, and resolved to renovate it as soon as possible. In 1951, the new temple was constructed on the original grounds, next to the 18th-century construction of Holkar's. The remains of the old temple are now preserved in a museum for public view. The jyotirlinga was installed by then-President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, in 1950 AD.Somnath Temple of Lord Shiva is a very much ancient temple of India located in Gujarat and stands as a famous landmark of the Indian history. Somnath Temple is being regarded as the ideal sacred place of the Hindus that survived the ravages of time.

The study of Indian history reveals that the Somnath Temple was invaded by the different conquerors who came to India and even some looted its wealth and others destroyed some parts of it. It was believed that the Somnath Temple or Somnath Pattan was popular even in the ancient times. Revenues were collected from 10,000 villages to maintain the Somnath Temple. The seven-storied structure of Somnath is tall to 155 feet. Constructed in the Chalukya style of architecture, Somnath Temple reflects the expertise of the Sompuras that are master masons of Gujarat. The temple is sited in such a manner that no mass of land can be seen from Somnath seashore till Antarctica. This information is presented in an inscription, written in Sanskrit, on the Arrow-Pillar of the sea-protection wall at the temple. The richly carved doorways, the sculptured representations of Nandi, Sivas bull, and the figures of goddesses and their female attendants must once have presented a grand ensemble of great beauty. In the recesses of the balconied corridor, there is a mutilated form of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva. Although essentially a Brahmanical temple, the influence of Jain architecture is clearly discernible. This structure was erected out of red sandstone. In 1024, the temple was raided by Mahmud Ghazni, who took camel-loads of jewels and valuables from here. The Paramara King Bhoj of Malwa and the Solanki King Bhima of Gujarat (Anhilwara) took the initiative to rebuild the temple during 1026-1042.

Entry Fee And Other Charges For Visit Somnath Temple

Free to all and anyone can visit this temple. Photography and Videography are not allowed. West belt, Mobile phone, Camera, shoes are not allowed inside the temple for those Free Lockers available outside of temple.

• Light & Sound show: Ticket Cost is Rs 25/- per head and Half Ticket is Rs 15/-

Opening Time For Somnath Temple

• Open Days: Open all days 05:00 am to 09:00 pm.
• Arati Timing at Somnath Temple: In Morning 7.00 AM, 12 Noon and In Evening 7.00 PM
• Darshan Timing at Somnath Temple: 6.00 AM to 9.30 PM
• Light & Sound Show Timing: 7.45 PM (Nearly one hour show)

Best Time To Visit Somnath Temple

The best time to visit Somnath Temple Gujarat is October and March. The climate in Somnath ranges from humid in the coastal areas to extremely hot in areas like Kutch. Summers are extremely hot & winters are extremely cold.

Tourist Attractions Near Somnath Temple

Gujarat Somnath temple can be visited and explored in 2 days. The adjacent areas also can be covered within that time. There are many tourist attractions are very closed from Somnath Temple like Old Somnath temple, Triveni Sangam, Saradamath, Geeta Temple, Baldevji Gufa, Laxminarayan Mandir, Mahaprabhuji Bethak, Krishna Paduka, Sasivusan mahadev somnath, Bal Gangeshwar temple somnath, Veneshvar Mahadev temple,Prabhas Patan Museum, Triveni Tirth , Veraval Beach, Bakhla Tirth, Surya Mandir , Ahilya Mandir, Junagadh, Dwarika.

Shopping Near Somnath Temple

Shopping in Somnath is also a thrilling activity for the guests who come to this city. Shop small idols and photos of Lord Shiv that are available in the temple premises. You can also buy some handmade dolls sold near the bus-stand here.

Restaurants Near Somnath Temple

Here is the list of some famous and popular hotels are given bellow.

• Hotel Somnath Sagar - AC Restaurant
• Hotel Sun Plaza
• Blue Coriander
• Tea Post
• Sai Chatkazz

Hotels Near Somnath Temple

There are three hotels maintained by Shri Somnath trust. Two budget hotels LILAVATI ATITHI BHAVAN & Shree Somnath Maheswari Samaj Atithi Gruh are located infront side of the Somnath temple. Here is the list of some hotels which are very closed from Somnath Temple.

• The Fern Residency Somnath
• Hotel Ambar
• Lords Inn Somnath
• Hotel Somnath Atithigruh
• Shree Somnath Maheswari Samaj Atithi Gruh
• Sagar Darshan - Somnath Trust
• The Grand Daksh

How to Reach Somnath Temple

By Air:

The nearest Airport is at Keshod 125 kms which is well connected with Mumbai.

By Rail:

Veraval 5 kms is the closest Railway station From Somnath Temple.

By Road:

State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat and out state to Somnath.

Google Map For Somnath Temple