Somnath stands on the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan, near Veraval in Gujarat. The Shree Somnath Trust calls it the Aadi Jyotirling, the first of the twelve. A visit here is simple: entry is free, there is no paid line, and the day runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This guide walks it in order, with the rules and rates the trust publishes.
The visit, in order
Mobiles, cameras, smartwatches, laptops, tablets and calculators are not allowed inside. They all go in the cloak room lockers, which cost nothing. Footwear comes off before entry, and the shoe house next to the cloak room is free too.
The trust allows sarees, dhotis, trousers, t-shirts and skirts. It asks visitors to avoid mini skirts and what it calls disrespectful dress. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the temple area.
The trust runs no paid darshan line, so everyone uses the same free queue. Darshan is open all day from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with aarti at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. Wheelchairs and a golf cart are kept at the main gate for elderly and disabled visitors, and there is a lift inside the temple.
The evening aarti is at 7:00 PM. After it, the Jay Somnath sound and light show runs from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM by the trust's FAQ. Its pilgrim facilities page gives 7:45 PM instead, so be there a little early. The show does not run in the monsoon.
The trust also points out the Baan Stambh on the shore. It reads this as an open sea line from Somnath to the South Pole, with no land in between.
Puja vidhis and their rates
Pujas are booked at the puja vidhi counter in the temple or online on somnath.org. Most need 3 days notice. A few of the trust's listed rates:
| Puja | Rate |
|---|---|
| Rudrabhishek | Rs 200 |
| Gangajal abhishek | Rs 200 |
| Bilva pooja | Rs 300 |
| Maha pooja | Rs 3,100 |
| Mahadugdh abhishek | Rs 3,100 |
| Laghurudra | Rs 5,100 |
| Someshwar Mahapooja | Rs 5,100 |
| Kalsarpa yog nivaran vidhi | Rs 5,500 |
| Silk dhvajarohan | Rs 11,000 |
| Maharudra (path) | Rs 15,000 |
The Someshwar Mahapooja runs in hourly slots from 8 to 11 AM and 3 to 6 PM, and the devotee has to be there in person. Paying online adds about 2% plus GST.
Staying with the trust
The trust runs several guest houses near the temple and a dormitory. Rates for two, before GST:
| Guest house | Room | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Lilavati Atithi Gruh | Non-AC / AC | Rs 750 / Rs 950 |
| Maheshwari Samaj Atithi Gruh | Non-AC / AC | Rs 750 / Rs 950 |
| Hari-Har Dham | Family room for six | Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 |
| Dormitory | One bed, non-AC / AC | Rs 90 / Rs 200 |
Sagar Darshan Atithi Gruh is the trust's sea-facing guest house next to the temple. Its page shows two different tariff tables, so check the price when you book. Check-in is at 11:00 AM and check-out at 10:00 AM. The trust also runs a free bhojanalay. Hotels in town are on the where to stay page.
After darshan: around Prabhas
A Tirth Darshan bus leaves the main gate at 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM for the temples nearby, for a small charge. The trust's list of places close by includes Bhalka Tirth, Dehotsarg Tirth with the Geeta Mandir, the Shri Ram Mandir and the temple Ahilyabai built in 1783.
Further out, the trust gives Sasan Gir at 65 km, Diu at 85 km, Junagadh at 90 km and Dwarka, home of the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, at 230 km. More is on the nearby page.
Getting there
Trains run to Veraval, about 6 km from the temple by road. Somnath railway station, which the trust gives at 0.5 km, has been closed for rebuilding since September 2022, according to Western Railway. It treats Diu as the airport, 85 km away, with Rajkot at 200 km and Ahmedabad at 390 km. Routes are on the how to reach Somnath page.