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TEMPLE · KRISHNABhalka Tirth
The sacred spot where Lord Krishna, mistaken for a deer, was struck by a hunter's arrow and left his earthly form — a deeply revered Krishna shrine near Somnath.
Where Krishna left the world
A short way from the Somnath temple lies Bhalka Tirth, one of the most poignant pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. Here, by tradition, Lord Krishna was resting under a peepal tree at the end of his earthly life when a hunter named Jara, mistaking his foot for a deer, loosed an arrow that struck him — and Krishna chose this moment to leave his mortal body and return to his eternal abode.
The temple marks this spot of the ‘bhalka’ (the arrow), with an idol of a reclining Krishna and the sacred tree. From here, his body was carried to the nearby Triveni Sangam for the last rites, a site known as Dehotsarg.
Quiet and deeply moving, wrapped in the bittersweet close of the Krishna story, Bhalka is an essential and tender stop on the Somnath pilgrimage.
The Bhalka Tirth Krishna shrine.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
A shrine of the final legend.
Krishna rests under a peepal at the end of his earthly life.
The hunter Jara strikes him, mistaking his foot for a deer.
Krishna leaves his mortal form and returns to his abode.
His last rites are performed at the nearby Triveni Sangam.
Reasons to make the time
Krishna's departure
The spot of the legendary arrow.
Reclining Krishna
A poignant idol of the Lord.
Sacred peepal
The tree of the legend.
Tender legend
The close of the Krishna story.
Near Triveni
The Dehotsarg rites nearby.
On the circuit
Steps from Somnath.
What to look for inside
Reclining Krishna
The Bhalka Tirth idol.
Departure spot
The sacred peepal.
Tender legend
The close of the Krishna story.
The peepal
The tree of the final legend.
Triveni Sangam
Where the Dehotsarg rites took place.
Steps from Somnath
Part of the great pilgrimage circuit.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Worship the reclining Krishna.
Hear the legend
The arrow and the departure.
See the peepal
The sacred tree of the tale.
Walk to Triveni
The Dehotsarg rites nearby.
Reflect a while
A tender, moving site.
Pair with Somnath
The great temple is close.
The Krishna sanctum and tree.
A shrine of the final legend
Bhalka Tirth is an intimate temple built around the spot of the legend — its sanctum holds an image of a reclining Krishna, and the sacred peepal tree associated with his last moments stands within the precinct. Subsidiary shrines and a hall serve the steady flow of pilgrims.
It is modest in scale; its power lies entirely in the story it marks — the gentle, profound close of Krishna’s earthly journey — and in its link to the nearby Triveni Sangam where the Dehotsarg rites took place.
Reclining Krishna idol
The sacred peepal tree
Linked to Dehotsarg
Near the Somnath circuit
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season on the Somnath coast.
Lush forest and springs; Gir partly closes.
Hot but sea-cooled near Somnath; go early.
⏰ Visit together with Somnath and Triveni Sangam; mornings are quiet and contemplative.
Timings & entry
- Open daily for darshan
- Remove footwear; dress modestly
- Combine with Somnath and Triveni
- Allow 30–45 minutes
- No entry fee for darshan
- Be respectful at this tender site
- Photography norms vary — ask
- Easily combined with Somnath
Getting there
By Air
Diu (~85 km) and Rajkot airports.
By Rail
Veraval station is nearest.
By Road
Between Somnath and Veraval, ~1.5 km from the temple.
At the temple
LEGEND & PEACE
A tender Krishna shrine
What to shoot
The shrine and the sacred tree.
Detail
The peepal of the legend.
Be discreet
Respect worshippers and rules.
Best light
Soft morning light.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Chorwad Beach
A former royal seaside retreat
Prabhas Patan Museum
Sculptures from Somnath's older temples
Somnath Beach
Golden sands beside the great temple
Triveni Sangam
Where three rivers meet the Arabian Sea
Gir Wildlife & Birding
A serene shrine wrapped in Krishna legend
Ahmadpur-Mandvi Beach
A long, clean beach near Diu
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
Temple-town bites
Sweets and snacks near the temples.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Bhalka Tirth FAQ
What is Bhalka Tirth?
The spot near Somnath where, by tradition, Krishna was struck by a hunter's arrow and left his earthly form.
What is enshrined there?
An idol of a reclining Krishna, with the sacred peepal tree.
Who struck Krishna?
A hunter named Jara, who mistook his foot for a deer.
What is Dehotsarg?
The nearby Triveni Sangam site where Krishna's last rites were performed.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
Where is it?
Between Somnath and Veraval, about 1.5 km from the temple.
When should I visit?
Mornings, alongside Somnath and Triveni.
What's nearby?
Somnath, Triveni Sangam and Veraval.
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