The Somnath Temple is considered as one of the sacred temples in Gujarat and India. It is also considered as the first among the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The Somnath Temple in Gujarat has a history of destruction, rebuilding and re-destruction until the 1950s. This temple in Gujarat is considered as a symbol of architectural marvel and spiritual abode of Lord Shiva. Since it is a temple in Gujarat and is a celestial abode to Lord Shiva, it is frequented by many devotees throughout the year especially during the Maha Shivratri festival.
Historic Folklore of Somnath Temple
The famous and the great Somnath Temple in Gujarat has a thunderous and rich history that dates back to many thousands years. It is believed that this temple was built by the moon god Somraj in gold, then it was rebuilt by Ravana in Silver, reconstructed in wood by Krishna Ji and then finally in stone by King Bhimdev in the 11th century. There was an Arab writeup about this temple which had attracted an afghanistan invader who looted and demolished the temple of its original belongings. Since the temple has such a history of reconstruction, that it was not again built till the 1950s. In 1951, the then CM of Gujarat built the temple to its present structure.
Darshan, Aarti and Light and Sound show Timings of the Somnath Temple
Timing for Darshan at Somnath Temple : 6 am to 9 pm
Timing for Aarti : 7 am, 12 pm and 7 pm
“Jay Somnath” Sound and Light Show : 8 pm to 9 pm
Activities to Do at Somnath Temple
- Offer your homage and take back blessings: When you come to Somnath temple in Gujarat, you will feel the divine energies in the atmosphere and the feeling of devotion will automatically come from within you. When you get a glimpse of the Jyotirlinga, you will find the divine aura very mesmerising.
- Witnessing the Aarti and the abhishek puja: To attend an aarti at the Somnath Temple in Gujarat is a luck and dream come true for many devotees. So if you are a true devotee of Lord Shiva, then you should definitely check for the aarti timings at the temple. There is a ritual too where the devotees can also attend the abhishek puja where they can see the divine shiva linga being bathed with milk, honey and holy water.
- Be entertained by the Light and Sound Show: This is a light and sound show that depicts the terrific and thunderous past of the temple. Through this show, it is also displayed that there is immense faith and belief in the people of India as they keep visiting this temple in Gujarat till date and pay their homage. The voiceover of the show is given by Amitabh Bachan.
- Come upon the Sanctified Confluence of three rivers with the sea: As the temple is built at the shore of the Arabian Sea, there is a meeting point of the three rivers which then get merged into the sea. According to the Hindu Mythology, it is considered sacred and holy to take a dip at the meeting point of the three rivers because the people take it as an opportunity of getting cleansed of all sins attaining purification.
- Explore the Somnath Beach: This is a beach that is near the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. After having a blissful trip and darshan at the temple, you can go to the beach and relax by the sea shores and enjoy the sun setting.
Nearby Places to Visit at Somnath Temple
Bhalka Tirth (5 km): This is a temple dedicated to the Lord Krishna’s heavenly abode after leaving his mortal remains. This is the exact place where Lord Krishna had taken his last breath and was shot by an arrow.
Dehotsarg Tirth (4 km): This is a place in Gujarat which has immense spiritual importance in Hindu Mythology as it is the very place from where Krishna Ji had left his earthly human form. This tirth is located on the banks of river Hiran.
Gita Mandir (4 km): As the name suggests, Gita Mandir is a place where Krishna Ji’s teachings are painted and depicted on the walls of the temple. You can also meditate here.
Prabhas Patan Museum (1 km): A museum that is home to various different, antique and unique sculptures, artifacts and inscriptions that are related to the glorious past of the famous Somnath temple and its surrounding areas.
Junagadh Gate (2 km): A reminder to the state of Gujarat which tells about the many different invasions done by invaders in Gujarat and the destruction caused by them over the centuries in the past.
Ways to Reach Somnath Temple
By Road: Somnath is well connected by private and state run buses from various cities.
- Rajkot to Somnath: 200 km
- Ahmedabad to Somnath: 400 km
- Dwarka to Somnath: 230 km
By Rail: The nearest railway station is Somnath Railway Station (5 kms) and Veraval Junction (7 kms).
By Air: The nearest airports are Diu Airport (85 kms), Rajkot airport (195 kms) and Ahmedabad Airport (400 kms).
From Divine Serenity to Royal Grandeur
A serene and blissful trip to Somnath is everything a person would ever want. However, after experiencing the divinity and serenity of the place, would you like to travel to a place that replicates the exact same vibes of the Somnath temple in Gujarat. If the answer is yes, then we would like to suggest you a place that is Udaipur.
Udaipur is a place that is full of lush green hills and beautiful lakes. We would also like to suggest a place where you could stay and relax. This place is Goya Hills. Goya Hills is a private villa in Udaipur that has a swimming pool, a private jacuzzi and a chef who cooks dishes according to your tastes. To know more about this villa, contact us on + 91 9024082177.
