Darshan timings at Somnath
| Season | Opens | Darshan | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (all year) | 6:00 AM | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM | 10:00 PM | Open |
| Aarti pause | 7:00 AM / 12:00 PM / 7:00 PM | Darshan briefly regulated during each aarti | approx 30 min each | Open |
| Light and sound show | 8:00 PM | Evening show on the temple forecourt | 9:00 PM | Seasonal |
Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →
How to reach Somnath Temple
Somnath sits on the Saurashtra coast beside Veraval town. It is one of the better connected pilgrim towns in Gujarat, with its own railhead a short walk from the temple and an airport at Diu across the coast.
| Mode | Point | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | Somnath station (halt) / Veraval Junction | approx 0.5 km / approx 7 km | Somnath is a small halt within walking distance of the temple. Veraval Junction handles most long-distance trains, including services from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Mumbai. |
| Air | Diu Airport | approx 85 km | Diu has limited flights. Rajkot (approx 200 km) and Ahmedabad (approx 390 km) offer far wider connectivity; taxis and buses run from both. |
| Road | Junagadh / Rajkot via NH | approx 85 km / approx 200 km | State and private buses connect Somnath with Junagadh, Rajkot, Diu, Porbandar and Ahmedabad. Taxis are easy to hire from Veraval. |
Puja & aarti schedule
- Morning (Prabhat) Aarti7:00 AM
- Noon (Madhyahna) Aarti12:00 PM
- Evening (Sandhya) Aarti7:00 PM
Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →
Dress code & temple rules
Dress modestly: traditional Indian wear or decent casuals like trousers and shirts are welcome; mini skirts and disrespectful clothing are not permitted
Footwear must be removed before entering the temple; stands are available near the gates
Electronic and electrical items are strictly barred inside: mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches, laptops, tablets and similar gadgets must be deposited in the cloakroom or locker near the main gate
Leather belts and similar leather articles are discouraged inside the sanctum area
Smoking and tobacco are prohibited across the temple grounds
Photography of the sanctum is not allowed; the exterior and seafront can generally be photographed from designated areas
Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →
Best time to visit & festivals
Aim for the October to March winter window, when Saurashtra's coastal heat eases to a pleasant 15C to 28C and the barefoot stone floors are comfortable. Shravan and the two big Shiva festivals are spiritually charged but very crowded.
| Festival | When | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mahashivratri | February or March | The single most important night for a Shiva shrine. All-night worship, abhishek and huge crowds; the sanctum stays open through the night. Peak |
| Kartik Purnima Fair | November | A multi-day fair on the temple grounds with diyas, stalls, cultural programmes and special worship. The seafront glows with lamps. Peak |
| Shravan Maas | July to August | The holy month of Shiva brings continuous special poojas and a steady stream of pilgrims through the monsoon. |
| Golden Somnath / Somnath Mahadev illumination | Major festival nights | On big occasions the shikhar and forecourt are lit dramatically, a favourite sight for evening visitors after the light and sound show. |
Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →
Nearby temples & tirths
Bhalka Tirth
Where Krishna was struck by the hunter's arrow, marking his departure from earth
Girnar
Sacred hill of thousands of steps above Junagadh, holy to both Hindus and Jains
Dwarka (Dwarkadhish)
Krishna's legendary kingdom and one of the Char Dham on the far Saurashtra coast
Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →
Where to stay
Most pilgrims stay in the Shree Somnath Trust guesthouses right by the temple: Sagar Darshan Atithi Gruh (with sea views), Lilavati Atithi Bhavan and Maheshwari Atithi Bhavan, all offering in-house dining and baby-cradle facilities. Rooms can be booked through the Trust. Veraval, 7 km away, adds a wider range of private hotels and dharamshalas for those who want more choice or lower rates.
Frequently asked questions
What are Somnath Temple darshan timings?
Is Somnath Temple open during monsoon?
What is the nearest railway station to Somnath?
Are mobile phones allowed inside Somnath Temple?
Is there an entry fee for Somnath Temple?
What is the dress code at Somnath Temple?
Compiled from public sources including Shree Somnath Trust official FAQ · Wikipedia: Somnath temple · Wikimedia Commons image (license/author) · Yatradham: How to reach Somnath. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.