The first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan — a temple rebuilt more times than perhaps any other in India after repeated d…
The first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at Prabhas Patan — a temple rebuilt more times than perhaps any other in India after repeated destruction.
Somnath is traditionally held to be the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Textual and epigraphic evidence points to a temple at this site by at least the 9th-10th century CE, though tradition holds an earlier structure existed. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times across history, most notably following the raid by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026 CE. Subsequent reconstructions followed under later rulers, and the temple was again damaged during the medieval period. The present structure was rebuilt after India's independence, with the reconstruction championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and completed in 1951, when the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, performed the consecration.
The current temple follows the Chalukya style of temple architecture, with a tall shikhara and finely carved exterior. The main spire rises to about 15 metres, topped with a flag mast about 8.2 metres tall. The temple sits directly on the shoreline, and a plaque near the sea-facing side marks the "Baan Stambh," an arrow pillar inscribed to indicate that there is no land between this point and Antarctica along the same longitude.
Somnath means "Lord of the Soma" (the moon). One well-known legend holds that the Moon god Chandra was cursed by his father-in-law Daksha to wane and lose his lustre; Chandra worshipped Shiva here to be freed of the curse, and Shiva agreed to stay eternally at this spot as a Jyotirlinga, restoring the moon's waxing and waning cycle rather than permanent decline. The site is also associated with Krishna, who is believed to have left his mortal body nearby at Bhalka Tirth after the Mahabharata war.
Darshan | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temple opening | 6:00 AM | — | Open | Daily opening |
Morning darshan | 6:00 AM | 9:30 PM | Open | Darshan available throughout the day |
Temple closing | — | 9:30 PM | Closed | Daily closing time |
Aarti | Time | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Mangala Aarti | 7:00 AM | Free | Morning worship of Lord Somnath |
Madhyan Aarti | 12:00 PM | Free | Midday pooja with food offerings |
Sandhya Aarti | 7:00 PM | Free | Evening lamp ceremony accompanied by devotional chants |
Shayan Pooja | 9:00 PM | Free | Final worship before the temple closes |
Darshan | Price | Waiting Time | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
General Darshan | Free | 20–60 min | Walk-in |
VIP Darshan | ₹300 onwards | 10–20 min | Temple Counter |
Special Poojas | Varies | Slot Based | Advance Booking |
Abhishekam | ₹500 onwards | Advance Reservation | Temple Office |
Seva | Time | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Jal Abhishek | Morning | ₹200 onwards | Offering of sacred water to the Jyotirlinga |
Rudrabhishek | Morning | ₹500 onwards | Sacred Abhishekam with Vedic chanting |
Laghu Rudra Pooja | By Booking | ₹1,100 onwards | Special Shiva worship for prosperity and well-being |
Mahamrityunjaya Jaap | By Booking | ₹1,500 onwards | Chanting for health, protection, and longevity |
Bilva Archana | Throughout the day | ₹100 onwards | Worship with sacred Bilva leaves offered to Lord Shiva |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Maha Shivaratri | February–March | The temple's largest festival featuring night-long worship, Rudrabhishekams, devotional music, and lakhs of devotees. |
Shravan Month Celebrations | July–August | Special Monday poojas, continuous Abhishekams, Kanwar offerings, and large pilgrim gatherings throughout the holy month. |
Kartik Purnima | October–November | Grand Deepotsavam with thousands of lamps, special prayers, and devotional celebrations. |
Somvati Amavasya | Varies | An auspicious day when Amavasya falls on a Monday, attracting large numbers of Shiva devotees for special worship. |
Diwali | October–November | The temple is illuminated with thousands of lamps, accompanied by festive poojas and cultural programs. |
Pradosham | Twice Every Month | Special Shiva worship and Abhishekam observed during every Pradosham with increased devotee participation. |
Mahashravan Mondays | July–August | Every Monday of the Shravan month is celebrated with elaborate rituals, floral decorations, and continuous chanting of Shiva mantras. |
Prasadam | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Laddu | ₹30–₹80 | Traditional temple sweet |
Panchamrit | ₹30–₹50 | Sacred mixture used during Abhishekam |
Dry Fruit Prasadam | ₹50–₹100 | Blessed assortment of dry fruits |
Bilva Leaves Prasadam | Free | Sacred Bilva leaves offered after worship |
Charanamrit | Free | Sacred holy water distributed after darshan |
Nearest airport: Diu Airport (~85 km) or Rajkot Airport (~200 km). Nearest railway station: Somnath Railway Station, about 1.5 km from the temple, well connected to Ahmedabad and other major Gujarat cities.
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📍 Somnath Temple, Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gir Somnath, Gujarat 362268
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Bhalka Tirth (where Krishna is believed to have left his mortal form), Triveni Sangam, and the town of Veraval with its fishing harbour are all within a short drive.
