Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Gujarat

At a glance

• Deity: Lord Shiva as Somnath, "Lord of the Moon" (Lord Shiva), first of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
• Location: Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, on the shore of the Arabian Sea.
• Managed by: Shree Somnath Trust.
• Aartis: three a day, morning, noon and evening (commonly 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm).
• Official website: somnath.org, for live darshan, pooja booking and notices.

The legend of the Moon

The Moon (Soma) married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati but favoured only Rohini. The angry Daksha cursed him to waste away, and the Moon lost his light. On Brahma's advice he came to Prabhas and worshipped Shiva, who freed him from the curse; that is why the Moon waxes and wanes rather than vanishing. The grateful Moon is said to have built the first temple here in gold, Ravana one in silver, and Krishna one in sandalwood. Prabhas is also where, by tradition, Shri Krishna ended his earthly life.

Destroyed and rebuilt

Somnath is the great symbol of a temple that would not stay down. Historical sources record attacks from the eleventh century onwards, beginning with Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026, and each time the temple was rebuilt. In 1782 Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar built a separate temple nearby so that worship could continue. After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins on 13 November 1947 and resolved to rebuild; President Dr. Rajendra Prasad performed the consecration of the present temple on 11 May 1951. It is built in the Chalukya (Kailash Mahameru Prasad) style, and the Baan Stambh (arrow pillar) on the sea wall records that there is no land in a straight line between this shore and the South Pole.

Darshan and aarti

• The temple is open from early morning to night, roughly 6 am to 10 pm, with three aartis a day at about 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm.
• Darshan is free. Poojas such as Rudrabhishek and Bilva pooja can be booked through the official website or the trust counters.
• In the evening, the "Jay Somnath" light and sound show is held in the temple courtyard (a small ticket is charged; it may not run in heavy rain).
• Timings change in Shravan, on Mahashivratri and on Kartik Purnima; check the official site before you go.

How to reach

• By air: Keshod airport is the nearest; Diu and Rajkot airports have more flights.
• By train: Veraval Junction, a few kilometres away, has trains from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Mumbai. Somnath also has its own station.
• By road: good highways connect Somnath to Junagadh, Rajkot, Dwarka and Diu, with frequent GSRTC buses.

Rules and what to carry

Mobile phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside; the trust provides cloak rooms near the entrance. Remove footwear and dress modestly.

Nearby tirthas

• Triveni Sangam: the meeting of the Hiran, Kapila and the hidden Saraswati, where pilgrims take a dip.
• Bhalka Tirth: where Krishna was struck by the hunter Jara's arrow.
• Dehotsarg (Gita Mandir): marking Krishna's departure.
• Ahilyabai's Somnath temple, the 1782 shrine nearby.

Festivals

Mahashivratri and the Shravan Mondays bring the biggest crowds. A large fair is held for five days around Kartik Purnima, and the beach and temple are lit up in the evenings.

Practical tips

• Plan the evening aarti followed by the light and sound show, then the sea-facing walkway.
• Stay at the trust's guest houses, bookable online, to be close to the temple.
• Combine Somnath with Dwarka and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga on a Saurashtra circuit.
• Read the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram, which begins with Somnath.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Somnath the first Jyotirlinga?

It is named first in the Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram ("Saurashtre Somanatham cha"), and tradition holds it to be the oldest.

What are the Somnath aarti timings?

Three aartis a day, commonly at 7 am, 12 noon and 7 pm. Confirm on somnath.org, especially in Shravan.

When was the present temple built?

It was consecrated on 11 May 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad, after Sardar Patel resolved to rebuild it in November 1947.

Is there a light and sound show?

Yes, the "Jay Somnath" show is held every evening after the aarti, except in heavy rain.

Can phones be taken inside?

No. Phones, cameras and bags must be left at the cloak room before entry.