Things to do in Somnath
Things to do in Somnath
Somnath, on the southern coast of Gujarat's Saurashtra region, is home to the Somnath Temple — the first and most sacred of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in all of Hinduism. The current magnificent temple, rebuilt for the seventh time after repeated historical destruction, stands proudly on the shores of the Arabian Sea in what is described in ancient texts as the eternal Prabhasa Tirth. The sea-facing location, the nightly sound-and-light show narrating the temple's turbulent history, and the proximity to Gir Forest make Somnath a compelling destination for pilgrims and history lovers alike.
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1.5–2 hours
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple darshan
The Somnath Temple on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat is one of the most historically significant and emotionally powerful temples in all of India. Destroyed and rebuilt seventeen times across a thousand years — most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 AD — the current temple was consecrated in 1951 and stands as a symbol of resilience and faith. Its location on a rocky promontory directly above the Arabian Sea, with nothing but open ocean between it and Antarctica, is extraordinary.
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45 minutes
Bhalka Tirth — Lord Krishna's departure point
Six kilometres from Somnath, Bhalka Tirth marks the spot where Lord Krishna was accidentally struck by the arrow of a hunter named Jara, mistaking his foot for a deer, and departed from the earth. It is one of the most significant Vaishnavite pilgrimage sites in the country — a simple but deeply resonant temple marking the moment that ended the Dvapara Yuga and began the Kali Yuga.
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1 hour
Prabhas Patan Museum visit
The Prabhas Patan Museum near Somnath houses over 3,000 artefacts from excavations of the ancient Prabhas city — temple sculptures, inscriptions, pottery, and bronze objects that document 2,000 years of continuous history at this sacred site. The collection gives crucial historical depth to the mythology of both Somnath and the Yadava kingdom of Krishna, and is essential for anyone wanting to understand Somnath beyond its spiritual significance alone.
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Full day (6–7 hours including drive)
Gir National Park day trip
Just 45 kilometres from Somnath, the Gir National Park — home of the world's last wild Asiatic lions — makes for a natural and deeply rewarding day trip from the temple town. A morning safari and return to Somnath for the evening light and sound show is one of the most satisfying day combinations in the whole of Gujarat.
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30–45 minutes
Somnath beach and Arrow Pillar viewpoint
The Arrow Pillar (Baan Stambha) on the Somnath temple complex is an ancient inscription pointing south, stating that there is no land between this point and the South Pole — a fact as true today as when the pillar was erected. Standing at this pillar on the temple terrace with the temple behind you and nothing but open sea and horizon ahead is one of the most perspective-altering moments you can have in India.