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TEMPLE · FIRST JYOTIRLINGASomnath Temple
The first of Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas, rebuilt again and again on the Arabian Sea shore — an eternal symbol of faith and resilience, the 'Shrine Eternal'.
The Shrine Eternal by the sea
On the shore of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan stands the Somnath Temple — the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the most revered shrines in all of Hinduism. Its story is one of extraordinary resilience: built in deep antiquity, the temple was plundered and demolished repeatedly over the centuries — most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni — and each time the faithful raised it again.
The present soaring temple, in the Chalukya (Maru-Gurjara) style, was completed in 1951 after Independence at the initiative of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, earning Somnath its title ‘the Shrine Eternal’. An inscription notes that no land lies in a straight line between its shore and Antarctica.
With its great spire above the waves, its powerful aartis and a stirring evening sound-and-light show, Somnath is both a profound pilgrimage and an emblem of India’s enduring spirit.
Somnath’s spire above the Arabian Sea.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
The temple ruins in an 1895 photograph.
A revered Shiva shrine — the first Jyotirlinga — stands by the sea.
It is plundered repeatedly, notably by Mahmud of Ghazni (1024).
Each destruction is followed by rebuilding by the faithful.
The present temple is completed after Independence, led by Sardar Patel.
Reasons to make the time
First Jyotirlinga
The foremost of Shiva's twelve.
Seashore spire
A soaring temple above the waves.
Shrine Eternal
A symbol of resilience reborn.
Powerful aartis
Stirring daily worship.
Sound & light
An evening show on the temple's saga.
Pilgrim circuit
Pairs with Dwarka and Gir.
What to look for inside
The Jyotirlinga
The soaring seaside shrine.
Shore setting
The temple above the waves.
How to spend an hour or two
Take darshan
Worship the Somnath Jyotirlinga.
Attend an aarti
Time your visit for the worship.
See the sound & light
The evening show on the temple's story.
Walk the shore
Feel the Arabian Sea behind the spire.
Visit nearby shrines
Triveni Sangam and Bhalka close by.
Learn the saga
The temple's history of resilience.
The Chalukya-style shikhara.
A Maru-Gurjara spire reborn
The 1951 temple is built in the Chalukya or Maru-Gurjara style of western India: a tall, intricately moulded shikhara rising above the sanctum, a pillared sabha-mandapa hall, and richly worked stone, all raised on a commanding seafront site.
Its spire is crowned by a great kalash and flag, visible far out to sea, while a striking arrow-pillar (Baan Stambh) on the shore proclaims the unobstructed ocean stretching to the South Pole. The whole composition fuses traditional temple form with the symbolism of a nation’s restored faith.
Chalukya (Maru-Gurjara) style
Soaring carved shikhara
Seafront sabha-mandapa
Baan Stambh arrow-pillar
When to go
Cool and clear — ideal for Somnath and Gir safaris.
Lush, but Gir closes (mid-Jun to mid-Oct).
Hot, but the best season for lion sightings in Gir.
⏰ Come for an evening aarti and stay for the sound-and-light show; sunset over the sea behind the spire is superb.
Timings & entry
- Open daily with aarti times
- Sound-and-light show in the evening
- Phones/cameras restricted in the inner area
- Allow 1–2 hours
- No entry fee for darshan
- Cloakrooms for phones, shoes and bags
- Security checks at the entrance
- Dress modestly; expect queues on festivals
Getting there
By Air
Diu (~85 km) and Rajkot are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Veraval station (~7 km) is the nearest railhead.
By Road
Well connected to Junagadh, Diu and Porbandar.
Shooting Somnath
SPIRE & SEA
A temple spire against the Arabian Sea
Best light
Sunset behind the spire from the shore.
What to shoot
The temple exterior and sea (no interior photos).
Setting
Waves breaking below the seafront.
Evening
The illuminated temple and show.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Kamleshwar Dam
Ritual bathing where rivers meet the sea
Gita Mandir
A riverside temple near Somnath
Bhalka Tirth
Where Krishna is said to have left his body
Gir Forest
The only wild Asiatic lions on Earth
Gir Wildlife & Birding
A serene shrine wrapped in Krishna legend
Hiran & Kamleshwar
Gir's lifeline river, dam & birdlife
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 Somnath.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Somnath Temple FAQ
What is Somnath Temple?
The first of Shiva's twelve Jyotirlingas, on the Arabian Sea shore at Prabhas Patan.
Why is it called the Shrine Eternal?
Because it was destroyed and rebuilt many times, finally rebuilt in 1951.
Who rebuilt the present temple?
It was completed after Independence at the initiative of Sardar Patel.
What are the darshan timings?
Roughly 6 AM to 9:30 PM, with aarti times.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free.
Can I take photos inside?
No — photography is restricted in the inner temple; use the cloakroom.
What's the sound-and-light show?
An evening show narrating the temple's long history.
What's nearby?
Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth and Gir National Park.
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