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TEMPLE · SUN · ANCIENTSuraj Mandir
An ancient, weathered Sun Temple at Prabhas Patan — a carved stone shrine to Surya older than the present Somnath, a quiet gem of early temple art.
An older Sun in the old town
Tucked into the old lanes of Prabhas Patan near Somnath stands the Suraj Mandir, an ancient temple dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Far older than the present Somnath temple, this weathered stone shrine dates to the early medieval period and is a fine, little-visited example of early western-Indian temple architecture — carved pillars, sculpted niches and a modest shikhara, worn smooth by sea air and the passing of centuries.
Though smaller and quieter than its world-famous neighbour, the Sun Temple is precious to historians and pilgrims alike as a survivor of the older Prabhas Patan, hinting at the town’s depth of sacred history beyond the great Jyotirlinga. For those who love old stones and quiet corners away from the crowds, it is a rewarding and atmospheric detour.
The ancient carved Sun Temple.
A Sun temple older than Somnath's rebuilding
Early-medieval Surya worship.
A carved Surya temple rose at Prabhas Patan in the early medieval centuries.
It predates the present Somnath temple, which was rebuilt only in 1951.
It weathered the centuries of raids that razed and rebuilt Somnath again and again.
It survives as a quiet, historic Sun shrine minutes from the great temple.
Reasons to make the time
Ancient Sun temple
Surya temples are rare survivors anywhere in Gujarat; this is one of the few.
Older than Somnath
It is a genuine survivor of old Prabhas — fabric older than the famous temple nearby.
Carved stone
The carving preserves fine early temple art in its niches and pillars.
Quiet & offbeat
The crowds at Somnath never find it; the shrine stays quiet.
Deep history
It opens a window on the town's older layers, beneath the pilgrimage city.
Near Somnath
As a detour it costs half an hour and rewards far more.
What to look for inside
THE TEMPLESun shrine
The ancient carved temple.
DETAILStone carving
Early sculpted niches.
PILLARSCarved pillars
Worked stone columns of the old shrine.
SHIKHARAModest tower
A worn shikhara rising over the sanctum.
NICHESSculpted figures
Early Solanki carving in the niches.
ANTIQUITYWeathered stone
Smoothed by sea air and centuries.
How to spend an hour or two
Find the temple
Find the shrine in the old lanes of Prabhas Patan, behind the pilgrimage town.
Admire the carving
Study the pillars, niches and worn shikhara.
Note the age
Register its age — older than the Somnath temple standing today.
Enjoy the calm
Enjoy the quiet; almost nobody comes.
Learn the history
Read old Prabhas Patan's depth through it — the town under the town.
Pair with Somnath
Walk back to the great temple, minutes away.
Carved pillars and a worn shikhara.
Early Solanki stonework
The Suraj Mandir is a compact early-medieval stone temple in the western-Indian (Solanki) idiom: a sanctum beneath a modest shikhara, fronted by carved pillars and walls worked with sculpted niches and figures, now softened by age and salt air.
Its value lies in its antiquity and craft — a glimpse of the temple architecture that flourished at Prabhas Patan long before the present Somnath was raised, and a quiet counterpoint to its monumental neighbour.
Our Gir Somnath travel guide maps out the other places worth your time here.
Our overview of temples across Gujarat puts it in context.
Early-medieval Surya shrine
Carved Solanki-era stone
Modest sanctum & shikhara
Sculpted pillars & niches
When to go
November to February is the pleasant season on the Somnath coast.
The monsoon is green; the shrine visit is brief and weatherproof.
Summers are sea-cooled near Somnath; go in the morning.
⏰ Visit in the morning light, which suits a Sun temple, and pair it with the Prabhas Patan museum and Somnath.
Timings & entry
- Open during daytime hours
- Quiet and rarely crowded
- Remove footwear if entering the sanctum
- Allow about 30 minutes
- No entry fee
- Treat the ancient carving gently
- Be respectful if worship is on
- Combine it with Prabhas Patan
Getting there
By Air
Diu (~85 km) and Rajkot airports.
By Rail
Veraval station (~7 km) is nearest.
On Foot
In the old lanes of Prabhas Patan, near Somnath.
At the temple
STONE & SUN
An ancient Sun shrine in old stone
Best light
Morning light on the carved stone.
What to shoot
Pillars, niches and the shikhara.
Be discreet
Respect any worship in progress.
Detail
Close-ups of the early carving.
Know before you go
More to see close by
SACREDTriveni Sangam
Where three rivers meet the Arabian Sea
MARINESutrapada Coast
Seasonal whale sharks off the shore
RIVERHiran & Kamleshwar
Gir’s lifeline river, dam & birdlife
JYOTIRLINGASomnath Temple
The first of the twelve, rebuilt at the ocean’s edge
PILGRIMAGEBhalka Tirth
Where Krishna is said to have left his body
Tulsishyam
The first Jyotirlinga, rebuilt at the ocean’s edge
Where to eat near Suraj Mandir
THALIKathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
SNACKSGanthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
PRASADTemple-town bites
Sweets and snacks near the temples.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Suraj Mandir FAQ
What is the Suraj Mandir?
An ancient carved Surya temple in the old lanes of Prabhas Patan, minutes from Somnath — a rare early Sun shrine that survived the centuries of raids that razed the great temple again and again.
How old is it?
In the old town of Prabhas Patan, a short walk or ride from the Somnath temple complex.
What's special about it?
Free — it is an open shrine, quiet and unticketed.
Where is it?
October to March, and in the morning, when the eastern light suits a Sun temple exactly.
Is there an entry fee?
The Somnath temple, the Prabhas Patan museum with its recovered sculpture, the Triveni Sangam and Bhalka Tirth.
When should I visit?
About thirty minutes — an easy, rewarding detour from the pilgrimage circuit.
Is it crowded?
No — it's a quiet, offbeat heritage shrine.
What's nearby?
Somnath, the Prabhas Patan museum and Triveni Sangam.
Related places across Gujarat
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COASTValsad Seafront
Quiet creeks and coastal villages
WETLANDSeasonal Flats
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Sanskar Kendra & Kite Museum
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HERITAGEMalpur
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026