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HERITAGE · MUSEUM · SOMNATHPrabhas Patan Museum
Relics of an ancient holy city — the Prabhas Patan Museum at Somnath, housing carved sculptures and remains from the old Somnath temples and the sacred town of Prabhas.
The art behind the temple
Close to the great Somnath temple, in the old sacred town of Prabhas Patan, stands a small but fascinating ASI museum that gathers together carved stone sculptures, architectural fragments, inscriptions and relics recovered from the earlier Somnath temples and the ancient city around them.
Housed in part of the old temple precinct, the museum’s collection — pillars, panels, deities and decorative stonework spanning centuries — tells the story of Somnath’s repeated destruction and rebuilding, and of Prabhas Patan as one of the oldest and holiest sites on the Saurashtra coast.
For visitors interested in the deeper history and art behind the gleaming modern temple, the Prabhas Patan Museum is a quiet, rewarding stop. (An ASI museum; entry by ticket.)
Carved relics recovered from the earlier Somnath temples.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Old temple stone gathered from the ancient city of Prabhas.
One of the oldest holy sites on the coast.
Sculptures from earlier Somnath temples survive.
The ASI gathers them into a museum.
A window into Somnath's deep past.
Reasons to make the time
Temple sculptures
Carved deities & panels.
Inscriptions
Centuries of history.
Somnath's past
Destruction & rebuilding.
ASI museum
In the old precinct.
Stone art
Decorative fragments.
Ancient Prabhas
A deep history.
What to look for inside
Carved stone
Deities and panels.
Fragments
From old Somnath.
Centuries of record
Stone inscriptions across the ages.
Temple fragments
Pillars and panels from the precinct.
Stone gods
Carved figures of the old shrines.
Somnath's layers
Relics of repeated rebuilding.
How to spend an hour or two
See the sculptures
Carved temple stone recovered from the earlier Somnath shrines.
Read the story
Trace Somnath's repeated destruction and rebuilding.
Find inscriptions
Centuries of record carved into stone.
Sense old Prabhas
Imagine the ancient city around the temple precinct.
Pair with the temple
Walk over to the gleaming modern shrine close by.
Reflect on history
Consider the deep past behind the gold.
The museum, set in part of the old temple precinct.
Sculpture, panel and inscription
The Prabhas Patan Museum holds carved sculptures, architectural fragments, deities and inscriptions recovered from the earlier Somnath temples and the ancient city of Prabhas, displayed in part of the old temple precinct.
A quiet ASI collection, it reveals the art and the turbulent history — destruction and rebuilding — behind the gleaming modern Somnath. (An ASI museum; entry by ticket.)
Sculptures from old Somnath
Architectural fragments
Inscriptions & relics
In the ASI temple precinct
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Green and atmospheric after rain.
Hot and dry — start early.
⏰ Pair the museum with the Somnath temple to understand the site's long history of destruction and rebuilding.
Timings & entry
- Open daily (check off-day)
- Maintained by the ASI
- Pair with the temple
- A short visit
- A modest ASI ticket
- Photography may be limited
- No flash on artefacts
- Combine with Somnath
Getting there
By Air
Diu and Keshod airports are the nearest, with onward taxis to Somnath and Prabhas Patan.
By Rail
Veraval railway station lies about 7 km away, the closest major railhead to the site.
By Road
The museum sits right in Prabhas Patan, Somnath — easily reached by local taxi or auto.
At the museum
STONE & STORY
Relics of ancient Somnath, in carved stone and inscription.
What to shoot
Carved sculptures (where allowed).
Detail
Inscriptions.
Setting
The old precinct.
Note
Photography may be limited.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Kamnath Mahadev
A revered Shiva shrine near Veraval
Gir Wildlife & Birding
A serene shrine wrapped in Krishna legend
Gir National Park
The last wild home of the Asiatic lion
Somnath Temple
◐ Sunset · the sea spire
Veraval Harbour
◐ Dusk · fishing boats
Devalia Safari Park
A fenced zone for reliable lion sightings
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiyawadi Thali
Spicy Saurashtra meals.
Ganthiya & farsan
Fried Gujarati snacks.
Seaside snacks
Chaat by the shore.
Coast & temple
Pure-veg near the temple; Veraval seafood near.
Prabhas Patan Museum FAQ
What is the Prabhas Patan Museum?
An ASI museum at Somnath holding sculptures and relics from the earlier Somnath temples.
What does it hold?
Carved deities, panels, architectural fragments and inscriptions.
Why visit?
To understand the art and turbulent history behind the modern temple.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, a modest ASI ticket.
Where is it?
In Prabhas Patan, near the Somnath temple.
Can I photograph inside?
It may be limited; no flash on artefacts.
How long does it take?
About 45 minutes.
When should I visit?
October to March.
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Harishchandra Chori
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Rafaleshwar Mahadev
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