If you love to visit temples and would like to see the best and most ancient temples, you can visit the Somnath Jyotirlinga known as Somanatha Temple. It is located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gujarat, India. One of the most popular and historical sites for Hindus. It is first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of India. Samanath Temple is an important devotee and tourist spot. This temple is dedicated to the Somnath means “Lord of the Soma”.
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Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple Darshan
Many times Somnath Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt by Islamic kings and Hindu kings. This temple was most recently rebuilt in November 1947. This temple is a very ancient time on account of being a Triveni Sangam. Ancient India Somnath released Chandra from the cause of his father-in-law Daksha Prajapati. Moon was married to twenty-seven daughters of Daksh. He favored Rohni and neglected other queens. The aggrieved Daksha cursed the moon and the Moon lost the power of light with the advice of Prajapita Brahma, The Moon arrived at the Prabhas Teerth and worshipped Bhagvan Shiva. Bhagavan Shiva blessed him and relieved him from the curse of darkness.
The Story Behind the Name: Why “Somnath”?
The name literally translates to “Lord of the Moon” (Soma). Local lore tells a fascinating story: the Moon God, Chandra, was married to 27 daughters of King Daksha but only had eyes for one—Rohini.
An insulted King Daksha cursed the Moon to lose his luster entirely. Desperate to regain his light, Chandra came to the Triveni Sangam here to worship Lord Shiva. Shiva was moved by his devotion, broke the curse, and restored the Moon’s glow. To show his gratitude:
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The Moon God supposedly built the first temple out of pure gold.
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Ravana followed by building it in silver.
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Lord Krishna is said to have reconstructed it using sandalwood.
Somnath Temple Timings & Aarti Schedule (2026)
The temple is run with clockwork precision. If you want to catch the powerful atmosphere of the Aarti, keep these times in mind:
| Activity | Timing | When to Go |
| Temple Gates Open | 6:00 AM | Best for a quiet start |
| Morning Aarti | 7:00 AM | Highly energetic |
| Noon Aarti | 12:00 PM | Crowded but spiritual |
| Evening Aarti | 7:00 PM | The most popular session |
| Light & Sound Show | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | “Jay Somnath” show |
| Final Closure | 10:00 PM | Gates close |
Note on Maha Shivaratri 2026: On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the rules change. The temple often stays open all night for Prahara Pujas, and the crowds are massive. If you plan to visit during this 12-day festival, expect heavy security and shifting schedules.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
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What to Wear: Keep it modest. While there isn’t a strict “uniform,” there is a rule for rituals: if you are performing an Abhishek, men are required to remove their shirts and vests.
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Darshan Wait Times: On a standard Tuesday or Wednesday, you can get through in 20-30 minutes. On weekends, that easily doubles.
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Entry is Free: Don’t let anyone sell you a “regular” entry ticket. General Darshan is free. However, if the lines are too long, you can pay about ₹500 for a VIP Darshan pass via the official Somnath portal to skip the queue.
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The Light Show: It’s an open-air show narrated by Amitabh Bachchan. Note that it usually doesn’t run during the peak monsoon months for safety reasons.
Where to Stay: Trust-Run Guest Houses
The Somnath Trust manages some of the best-maintained and most affordable stays right near the temple:
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Lilavati Guest House: (+91) 2876-233033
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Maheshwari Guest House: (+91) 2876-233130
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Sagar Darshan (Sea View): (+91) 2876-233533
How to Get There
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By Rail: Somnath has its own station just 2 km away, though Veraval Junction (7 km) has better connectivity to major cities like Ahmedabad.
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By Air: Most people fly into Diu (85 km) or Rajkot (200 km) and take a taxi down.
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By Road: State transport buses run frequently from Rajkot, Dwarka, and Ahmedabad.