Somnath Jyotirlinga, Gujarat: Shree Somnath TemplePrabhas Patan, Gir Somnath, Gujarat

About this guide

Somnath Jyotirlinga, at Prabhas Patan on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat, is honoured as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Its temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries, and for devotees it stands as a symbol of faith that cannot be broken.

This is YatriSutra's devotee guide to Somnath: the legend of the Moon god, the temple's history and architecture, how darshan works, the daily aartis, the sacred calendar and practical advice for your visit. It is written from the temple trust, government and scriptural sources listed at the end of the page.

The divine story of Somnath Jyotirlinga

According to the Puranas, Chandra, the Moon god, married the twenty-seven daughters of Daksha Prajapati but loved only Rohini. When the other sisters complained, Daksha cursed Chandra to wane away. Chandra came to Prabhas, worshipped Shiva and was blessed: he would wane and grow again in turns, which devotees see as the waxing and waning of the moon.

Grateful, Chandra built a temple to Shiva here, and Shiva stayed as Somnath, the Lord of Soma, the Moon. Tradition says the temple was later rebuilt in silver by Ravana, in wood by Lord Krishna and in stone by King Bhimadeva.

Prabhas is also sacred to Vaishnavas. Nearby Bhalka Tirth is revered as the place where Lord Krishna was struck by a hunter's arrow, and the Triveni Sangam marks the meeting of the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers with the sea.

YatriSutra devotee tip: visit the Triveni Sangam in the morning and the temple at sunset, when the sea and the shikhara light up together.

Why devotees visit Somnath

As the first Jyotirlinga, Somnath is where many devotees begin their Dwadash Jyotirlinga yatra. Those who believe in the Moon's healing come to pray for relief from illness and for peace of mind, following Chandra's own example.

For many Indians, Somnath also represents resilience. A temple that rose again after every destruction reminds devotees that faith outlasts every hardship, which is why the rebuilt temple carries such emotional weight across the country.

History and architecture of Somnath Temple

Somnath was among the richest temples of medieval India and suffered repeated raids, most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. Each time, rulers and devotees rebuilt it. After Independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took up the reconstruction, and the present temple was inaugurated in 1951 by President Rajendra Prasad. It is managed today by the Shree Somnath Trust.

The present temple is built in the Chalukya style, also called the Kailash Mahameru Prasad style, in the tradition of the master builders of Gujarat. Its features include:

• A tall shikhara crowned with a kalash and a flag that is changed several times a day as an offering.
• The Baan Stambh, an arrow pillar on the sea wall whose inscription says that there is no land in a straight line between this point and the South Pole.
• Carved stone halls and a sea-facing promenade, with the evening light and sound show telling the temple's story.

Inside the temple

Devotees enter through the main gate, pass through the large pillared hall and come before the sanctum, where the Jyotirlinga is worshipped with daily abhishek and shringar. The temple faces east, with the sea on its southern side.

Within the complex and nearby are other shrines that devotees often visit, including the old Somnath temple rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar a short walk away, and shrines to Parvati and Ganesha.

Somnath darshan guide: timings and queues

Somnath is usually open from early morning until late evening, with three main aartis through the day. The commonly followed schedule is:

• Darshan: about 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
• Aartis: around 7:00 am, 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm.
• Light and sound show: in the evening after the aarti, with separate tickets.

Timings change on festival days, so confirm on the Shree Somnath Trust website before you go.

Your darshan, step by step

• Deposit phones, cameras and bags at the official cloakroom, as they are not allowed inside.
• Pass the security check at the main gate and join the darshan line.
• Have darshan of the Jyotirlinga and offer your prayer.
• Walk to the sea-facing side to see the Baan Stambh and the ocean.
• Collect prasad from the official counter before you leave.

Aarti, puja and rituals at Somnath

The three daily aartis are the heart of the day at Somnath, with the evening aarti drawing the largest crowds. The Shree Somnath Trust also arranges pujas for devotees, including rudrabhishek, and the offering of a dhwaja (flag) on the shikhara, which many families sponsor to mark a special occasion.

Book pujas and dhwaja offerings only through the trust's official counters or website, and keep your receipt.

Sacred calendar: Mahashivratri, Shravan and Kartik Purnima

• Mahashivratri: night-long worship with special shringar of the Jyotirlinga.
• Shravan: the holy month of Shiva, with the biggest crowds on Mondays.
• Kartik Purnima: a large fair is held near the temple, with pilgrims bathing at the Triveni Sangam.
• Somvati Amavasya: when the new moon falls on a Monday, devotees consider a visit especially meritorious.

Devotee etiquette

• Dress modestly in clothing that covers shoulders and knees.
• Leave phones and cameras in the cloakroom; photography is not allowed inside.
• Remove footwear at the counter before entering.
• Follow security instructions, as the temple has strict checks.

Darshan for elderly and differently-abled devotees

The temple complex is mostly on one level with paved paths, which makes Somnath easier than many hill or underground shrines. Ask at the help desk about wheelchairs and any separate queue, and prefer weekday mornings for a calmer visit.

Tips for pilgrims visiting Somnath Temple

• Come early for the morning aarti, when the temple is calmest.
• Book the light and sound show in advance during holidays.
• Avoid weekends and Shravan Mondays if you want a quiet darshan.
• Carry sun protection, as the sea-facing promenade is open and hot by midday.

YatriSutra devotee tip: watch the flag being changed on the shikhara. Families who sponsor it see the moment as a personal blessing.

Connected sacred places

• Bhalka Tirth, about 5 km away: revered as the place where Lord Krishna was struck by an arrow.
• Triveni Sangam: the meeting of three rivers with the sea, where pilgrims bathe.
• Old Somnath Temple (Ahilyabai Temple): rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar in the 18th century.
• Gita Mandir and Laxminarayan Temple near the sangam.
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga near Dwarka, which many pilgrims combine with Somnath on a Gujarat yatra.