The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot in Gujarat.
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About Somnath Temple
The Somnath Mahadev is the holy place of the Aadi Jyotirling and the sacred soil from where Bhagavan Shri Krishna took his last journey to his Dham. Somnath is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India.
The temples lie 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.
Somnath Temple 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, Krishna in wood, and Bhimdev in stone. The current serene, symmetrical structure was built to traditional designs on the original coastal site: it’s painted a creamy color 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 traveler, 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 for centuries. 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.
The temple was reconstructed in the Chaulukya style of Hindu temple architecture and completed in May 1951. The reconstruction was completed by Vallabhbhai Patel.
Somnath Temple Timings
All Days Somnath Mahadev temple Timings
Somnath Temple Darshan Timing
6:00 AM – 9:30 PM.
Somnath Temple Arati Timings
7:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:00 PM.
Somnath Temple Light and Sound Show Timings
Light and sound show- 7:45 PM
Somnath Temple Light and Sound Show Ticket Price
Entry Fee: Light and sound show: INR 25,
Half-ticket INR 15
Somnath Temple Architecture
Reconstructed in the Chalukya style of architecture, it showcases the fine skills of the oldest and best temple architects or the Sompura Salats. An arrow pillar mentions that it is located at such a location that it is the first point of land in the north to the South Pole at that particular longitude. The recesses of a balconied corridor also house a rather mutilated form of Nataraja or the dancing Shiva. The flag atop the temple tower bears the symbols of Nandi and Trishul. Jain influence on the carvings and the overall design is clearly visible despite it being a Brahmanical temple.
Best Time To Visit Somnath Temple
The best time to visit Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is from October to March.
Shivratri and Kartik Purnima is celebrated with great enthusiasm here.
Places To Visit Near Somnath Temple
- Somnath Beach
- Paanch Pandav Gufa
- Bhalka Tirth
- Laxminarayan Temple
- Triveni Sangam Temple
Somnath Temple Hotels Contact Number
Hotel Triveni Darshan Somnath Contact Number
Hotel Sukhnath Somnath Contact Number
Hotel Shri Hari Somnath Contact Number
Somnath Temple Location
Somnath Temple is situated in Veraval, Gir Somnath District of Gujarat.
How To Reach Somnath Temple
The temple city lies 82 km from Junagadh, 270 km from Bhavnagar, and 120 km from Porbandar. Ahmedabad is just 400 km away from Somnath.
The nearest railway station is at Veraval at a distance of 7 km.
The nearest airport is Keshod at a distance of 55 km.
Ahmedabad To Somnath Temple
400 km
Rajkot To Somnath Temple
200 km
Junagadh to Somnath Temple
82 km
Somnath Temple Accommodation
Hotels Near Somnath Temple
- Hotel Somnath Sagar
- The Fern Residency Somnath
- The Bliss Hotel
- Hotel Sukhnath
- Hotel Dev Inn
- Hotel Shri Hari
- Hotel Shivaay
- Hotel Triveni Darshan
Dharmashala in Somnath
- Bansidhar Yatri Niwas
- Bharat Sevashram Sangha
- Shri Mannarayan Dharamshala
- Shantinath Jain Yatrik Bhavan
Somnath Temple Online Room Booking
Click Here For Online Room Booking
FAQ On Somnath Temple
Where is Somnath Temple?
The Somnath temple is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat.
Who Built Somnath Temple?
It’s said that Somraj (the moon god) first built a temple in Somnath, made of gold; this was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, Krishna in wood, and by Bhimdev in stone.
Where is Somnath temple situated?
It is located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat.
Who looted the Somnath temple 17 times?
The temple was looted and destroyed as many as seventeen times by emperors like Mahmud Ghazni, Alauddin Khilji, and Aurangzeb.