Somnath is a famous Hindu pilgrimage spot in Gujarat, India. This city is known for the first jyotirlinga shrine of the Hindu god Shiva. The city’s name literally translates to “Lord of the Moon”. According to Hindu legends, Lord Shiva alleviated the curse of the moon god Soma by taking away his brilliance and letting him have it back after a 15-day cycle. Pleased to have regained his brilliance once again, Soma built a beautiful temple made of gold. The site where Soma regained his luminance is called “Prabhas”, meaning “extra brilliant”. This city is also of great significance to the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. The city and its glorious temple have seen destruction, yet it still stands as a symbol of regained strength and timeless beauty. Somnath has a lot of beautiful places of worship and natural getaways. Check out our list of top things to do in Somnath, Gujarat.
1. Enjoy sunsets and street foods at Somnath Beach
Somnath Beach is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, right across Somnath Temple. This beach offers an amazing experience even though it is generally not recommended for swimming. However, you can enjoy shore activities like camel riding and quad biking. There are also some small shops and stalls that sell delicious Gujarati street food and local favorites that you cannot miss. This is an amazing place to stroll and relax under the sun. You will also love the sweet coconut water sold here.
Somnath Beach
Address: Near Access Road to Temple, Somnath, Gujarat 362268
Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)
2. Check out the beautiful architecture of Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple is said to have had its first construction on or before 350 CE. This temple has gone through several renovations already. Records show that the last one was during the 1950s, under the command of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, an Indian politician. This temple is often touted as “an eternal shrine”. It was last built using the Chalukya style of architecture, with intricate hand carvings on the walls. This temple is rumored to have the ability to heal incurable ailments and diseases. Adjacent to this site, you will be awe-struck by the sight of the spectacular temple gardens. You can also check out the view of the Arabian sea from here.
Somnath Temple
Address: Prabhas Patan, Gujarat 362268
Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)
Traveler's tips
The best time to visit this gorgeous temple is in summer and winter when you can see the light and sound shows at night. The show is discontinued throughout the monsoon season. However, regardless of the season, this temple promises a serene and spiritual time to all its visitors. Electric devices, including smartwatches, are not allowed in, so make sure you don't carry any with you, although there's a free locker facility in the temple where you can store your smart devices. Also, remember to collect free prasad from the counter, which usually includes Chikki, Mohanthal, and other Indian delicacies. While there are lots of restaurants around the temple, the temple's trust has a free food service offering simple but delicious Indian meals.
3. Admire timeless relics at Prabhas Patan Museum
Prabhas Patan Museum is a five-minute walk from Somnath Temple. This place preserves historical relics and ruined parts from the temple. From hand-carved pillars to ancient statues of Hindu gods, this site displays most of what the temple has gone through. Hundreds of years of history are exhibited here, so it is definitely worth the visit. There are two parts: one contains several rows of preserved relics and the other holds ancient inscriptions relating to the construction and the legacy of the temple.
Prabhas Patan Museum
Address: Prabhas Patan, Gujarat 362268
Opening hours: Thu - Tue - 10:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Wed)
4. Offer prayers at the 500-year-old Surya Mandir
Surya Mandir is a Hindu temple built for the sun god Surya and his wife, Chaya Devi, the goddess of shadow. This ancient temple is more than 500 years old. It is also a site that is cited in the Indian epic Mahabharatha. It states that Pancha Pandavas - the five sons of Kunti - worshipped Surya in this temple. It is located adjacent to Pancha Pandava Gufa or Caves. You can also check out Triveni Sangam - the merging of the three rivers Hiran, Kapil, and Saraswati - for a holy dip near the temple.
Surya Mandir
Address: Triveni Ghat, Veraval, Somnath, Gujarat 362268
5. Visit the final moments of Lord Sri Krishna at Bhalka Teerth
Bhalka Teerth is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away from Somnath Temple and can be accessed from Prabhas Patan. The story goes that Lord Sri Krishna in Mahabharatha was resting under a pipal (fig) tree when a hunter named Jara shot his leg with an arrow thinking that he was a deer. Lord Krishna then accepted the apology of Jara and walked to Bhalka Teerth - then the banks of Hiran River - to leave his earthly incarnation. This is the place of Shri Krishna Neejdham Prasthan Leela (the story of Sri Krishna’s departure to heavenly abode). This is a must-visit sacred spot in Somnath.
Bhalka Teerth
Address: Bhalka, Bhalpara Part, Gujarat 362265, India
6. Learn about Bhagavad Gita at Gita Temple
Gita Temple was built by the Birla Group in 1970 to celebrate the Hindu Holy Book Bhagavad Gita and Lord Sri Krishna. This temple has 18 pillars, each of which is dedicated to a chapter in the Holy Gita. This temple also has several paintings and depictions of Lord Krishna. History states that the temple is rightly placed on the land where Sri Krishna rested after being hit by Jara’s arrow while walking from Bhalka Theerth to Triveni Sangam.
Gita Temple
Address: Somnath, Veraval, Gujarat 362268
Somnath - the face of ancient Bharath
Somnath has several sacred and historic sites that reveal the rich architecture and timeless glory of India. It shows the unspoken tales of Bharath before the British era. It is a must-see destination in Gujarat.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to