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TEMPLE · KRISHNA · SOMNATHGita Mandir
A temple of the Gita by the sea — Gita Mandir at Somnath, a serene Krishna shrine near the sacred Triveni Sangam, its walls inscribed with the verses of the Bhagavad Gita.
Verses by the confluence
Near the sacred Triveni Sangam at Somnath — where the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers meet the sea, close to the spot associated with Lord Krishna’s final departure (nijdham) from the earth — stands the Gita Mandir, a peaceful temple dedicated to Krishna.
The temple is notable for having the verses (shlokas) of the Bhagavad Gita inscribed on its pillars and walls, making it both a place of worship and a quiet space for reflection on Krishna’s teachings.
Part of the cluster of sacred sites around Somnath and Bhalka Tirth — where Krishna is believed to have been struck by the hunter’s arrow — the Gita Mandir, with the nearby Lakshminarayan and Balramji temples, completes a moving pilgrimage circuit by the sea. Serene and contemplative, it is a meaningful stop for pilgrims to Somnath. (An active temple; visit respectfully.)
The Gita Mandir shrines, Somnath.
Verses cut in stone at the confluence
Old shrines near Triveni.
Gita Mandir stands at Dehotsarg on the bank of the Hiran, the spot tradition holds Krishna left the earth at the close of the Dwapara age.
Its marble pillars carry the verses of the Bhagavad Gita, chapter by chapter, so the text itself becomes the fabric of the building.
It sits beside the Triveni Sangam, where the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati meet and run together into the Arabian Sea.
The temple was raised by the Birla family and is quiet and contemplative rather than grand — a place to sit rather than queue.
Reasons to make the time
Gita verses
The Gita is inscribed into the marble of the pillars, which makes reading the building and reading the text the same act.
Krishna shrine
It is calm in a way the main Somnath temple never is, and most visitors have the hall largely to themselves.
Triveni Sangam
The Triveni Sangam is a few minutes away, where three rivers meet the sea and pilgrims perform last rites.
Nijdham lore
Bhalka Tirth, where Krishna was struck by the hunter's arrow, is close by and completes the story this site tells.
Contemplative
The setting on the Hiran, away from the main temple crowds, makes it the reflective stop on the Somnath circuit.
Somnath circuit
Almost everyone visits it together with Bhalka and the Sangam, and the three make sense only as a set.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLEGita Mandir
The white Krishna shrine on the Hiran, its pillars carrying the verses of the Bhagavad Gita.
THE SHRINESTriveni Sangam
The confluence of the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati with the sea, a few minutes from the temple.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Take darshan of Krishna in the main hall, which is small, bright and unusually peaceful for a Somnath shrine.
Read the Gita verses
Walk the pillars and read the inscribed Gita verses; even without Sanskrit, the idea of a building made of a text lands.
Sense the calm
Sit for a while. This is the one stop on the Somnath circuit built for stillness rather than procession.
Visit Triveni Sangam
Go down to the Triveni Sangam nearby, where the three rivers meet the Arabian Sea.
See Bhalka Tirth
Understand the significance of Dehotsarg — the place where Krishna is held to have departed the earth.
Complete the circuit
Complete the cluster with Bhalka Tirth, so the whole Krishna-nijdham story reads in order.
Shrines near Triveni Sangam.
Pillars of scripture
The Gita Mandir is a serene Krishna temple near the Triveni Sangam at Somnath, its pillars and walls inscribed with the verses of the Bhagavad Gita. Part of the sacred cluster around Somnath and Bhalka Tirth — linked to Krishna’s nijdham (final departure) — it offers a quiet, contemplative complement to the great temple by the sea. (An active temple; visit respectfully.)
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Devbhumi Dwarka travel guide.
It is one of many — our guide to temples across Gujarat covers the rest.
Krishna temple by Triveni
Bhagavad Gita verses inscribed
Near Krishna’s nijdham site
Part of the Somnath circuit
When to go
November to February is ideal — cool, clear and comfortable for walking the whole Somnath circuit on foot.
The monsoon greens the Hiran's banks and the sea runs high, which suits the mood of the place.
March to June is hot and dry on this coast; come early in the morning or after the evening reopening.
⏰ Pair Gita Mandir with the Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth for the full Krishna-nijdham circuit at Somnath.
Timings & entry
- Open daily for darshan
- A calm, reflective shrine
- Pair with Triveni & Bhalka
- A short visit
- No entry fee for darshan
- Dress modestly
- Be quiet and respectful
- Part of the Somnath circuit
Getting there
By Air
Diu / Keshod airports.
By Rail
Veraval (~7 km).
By Road
Near Triveni Sangam, Somnath.
At Gita Mandir
FAITH & VERSE
A Krishna shrine by the sea
What to shoot
The white marble temple standing above the bank of the Hiran river.
Detail
Gita verses cut into the marble of the pillars, chapter by chapter.
Respect
The quiet inner hall, where most visitors sit rather than move through.
Best light
Early light on the river and the shrines along the Somnath shore.
Know before you go
More to see close by
RIVERHiran & Kamleshwar
Gir’s lifeline river, dam & birdlife
BEACHSomnath Beach
Golden sands beside the great temple
NATUREHiran River
The lifeline river of the lion forest
SAFARIDevalia Safari Park
A fenced zone for reliable lion sightings
MUSEUMPrabhas Patan Museum
Sculptures from Somnath’s older temples
Tulsishyam
The first Jyotirlinga, rebuilt at the ocean’s edge
Where to eat near Gita Mandir
THALIKathiyawadi Thali
Spicy Saurashtra meals.
FARSANGanthiya & farsan
Fried Gujarati snacks.
STREETSeaside snacks
Chaat by the shore.
Coast & temple
Pure-veg near the temple; Veraval seafood near.
Gita Mandir FAQ
What is the Gita Mandir?
A white marble Krishna temple on the bank of the Hiran at Somnath, built by the Birla family, whose pillars carry the verses of the Bhagavad Gita. It marks Dehotsarg, the place tradition holds Krishna departed the earth.
Where is it?
At Dehotsarg on the Hiran river, close to the Triveni Sangam and a short drive from the main Somnath temple. Bhalka Tirth is nearby, and the three are usually visited together.
What's special about it?
The verses of the Bhagavad Gita are cut into the marble of its pillars, chapter by chapter, so the structure carries the whole text.
What's the nijdham link?
It's near where Krishna is believed to have made his final departure.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
What's nearby?
The Triveni Sangam, Somnath temple and Bhalka Tirth.
How long does it take?
About thirty minutes.
When should I visit?
October to March.
Related places across Gujarat
LANDMARKSuspension Bridge
A historic hanging bridge over the Machchhu
Ranchhodji Temple
A beloved Krishna shrine
LAKEGomti Lake, Dakor
The sacred tank beside Dakor
Vavol Shrines
Quiet local temples & stepwells
HERITAGEGohil Old City
Carved havelis & the lock-gate Bhavnagar port
WILDLIFEForest Safari
Spot deer, birds & the odd leopard
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026