Places to visit near Somnath temple
Somnath is more than one temple. Within a few kilometres of the Jyotirlinga lie the confluence of three rivers, the place where Lord Krishna is revered to have left the world, and a pillar that points across the open sea to the South Pole.
Distances at a glance
Every distance below is measured from Sagar Darshan Guest House on Somnath Mandir Road. The temple, the beach and Baan Stambh are a short walk; everything else is a short auto rickshaw ride inside Prabhas Patan, except Bhalka Tirth, which lies on the road towards Veraval.
| Place | Distance | Getting there |
|---|---|---|
| Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple | about 400 m | A 5 minute walk |
| Baan Stambh | about 600 m | On foot, on the temple sea wall |
| Somnath Beach | about 5 minutes on foot | On foot |
| Prabhas Patan Museum | about 1 km | On foot or by auto rickshaw |
| Triveni Sangam | about 1.5 km | Auto rickshaw |
| Gita Mandir and Dehotsarg Tirth | about 1.5 km | Auto rickshaw |
| Suraj Mandir | in Prabhas Patan, near Triveni Sangam | Auto rickshaw |
| Bhalka Tirth | about 3 km | Auto rickshaw or taxi, towards Veraval |
If you have one free morning, the classic circuit is Triveni Sangam, Gita Mandir and Dehotsarg, Suraj Mandir and then Bhalka Tirth, returning in time to rest before the evening aarti. It is described in full in our two day Somnath itinerary.
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
Somnath is honoured as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, and the temple you see today stands on the shore at Prabhas Patan, rebuilt after the temple was destroyed and raised again many times over the centuries. The sea runs right up to the sea wall behind the shrine, and the evening aarti with the sound of the waves is the moment most pilgrims remember.
Darshan runs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with aarti at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. The Jay Somnath light and sound show begins at 7:45 PM. Our page on Somnath temple darshan and aarti timings covers how to plan around each one, what to carry and what to leave in your room.
Baan Stambh, the arrow pillar
On the sea protection wall of the temple stands the Baan Stambh, a pillar topped with an arrow pointing south. Its Sanskrit inscription records that there is no land in a straight line between this point and the South Pole. It is about 600 m from the guest house, and since it is inside the temple area you will pass close to it on your way to darshan. Stand at the wall at dusk and look out along the arrow: the open sea really does run to the horizon.
Somnath Beach
The beach beside the temple is about five minutes on foot from the guest house. It is a place for walking, for sitting with the sea at first light, and for watching the evening sky before the 7:00 PM aarti. It is not a swimming beach. The water can be rough, and the sensible local advice is to stay at the water's edge and keep a hand on small children.
Prabhas Patan Museum
About 1 km from the guest house, the museum holds carved stones, sculpture and architectural fragments recovered from the earlier temples at Somnath. Half an hour here gives real depth to the history you hear about at the light and sound show. Opening days and hours are set by the museum, so check them locally on the day you plan to go.
Triveni Sangam
About 1.5 km away, three rivers, the Hiran, the Kapila and the Saraswati, meet before flowing into the sea. Triveni Sangam is one of the most sacred places in Prabhas Patan. Pilgrims bathe at the ghats and many families come here to perform rites for their ancestors. Go in the morning, when the light is soft and the ghats are calm, and carry a change of clothes if you plan to take a dip.
Gita Mandir and Dehotsarg Tirth
Close to Triveni Sangam, on the banks of the Hiran, is Dehotsarg Tirth, revered as the place where Lord Krishna left his mortal body. Gita Mandir stands here, a white marble temple whose walls carry verses of the Bhagavad Gita. The same grounds hold shrines connected with Lord Krishna and with Balarama, his elder brother. It is about 1.5 km from the guest house and pairs naturally with Triveni Sangam in one auto rickshaw trip.
Suraj Mandir
Suraj Mandir, the temple of Surya, the sun god, is one of the older temples of Prabhas Patan and stands near Triveni Sangam. It receives far fewer visitors than the main temple, and that is part of its appeal: a few quiet minutes with weathered stone carvings. Ask your auto rickshaw driver to include it when you visit Triveni Sangam and Gita Mandir.
Bhalka Tirth
About 3 km from the guest house, towards Veraval, Bhalka Tirth marks the place where, by tradition, Lord Krishna was resting under a peepal tree when the hunter Jara, mistaking his foot for a deer, struck it with an arrow. The temple shows Lord Krishna reclining, and the story connects directly with Dehotsarg, where his earthly life ended. Because it is on the Veraval road, Bhalka Tirth is easy to visit on the way to or from Veraval railway station, which is about 7 km from the guest house.
Practical notes for the circuit
- Auto rickshaws wait along the temple road. Agree the fare and the list of stops before you set off, and ask the driver to wait at each one.
- Footwear comes off at every temple. Wear sandals that are easy to slip on and off, and carry a cloth bag for them.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, as you would for the main temple.
- Carry water, a hat and sunscreen. The middle of the day is hot for much of the year, which is why we suggest the circuit in the morning.
- Expect crowds and changed timings on festival days. Read our guide to the best time to visit Somnath before choosing your dates.
Timings are as published by Shree Somnath Trust and can change on festival days, during Shravan and on Mahashivratri. Check at the temple or on somnath.org before you set out.
Further afield
With an extra day you can go further: the forests of Gir, the island of Diu, Girnar and the old city of Junagadh, or simply the town of Veraval next door. Our guide to day trips from Somnath covers each one, with honest notes on how long they take. If you are still deciding how to get here, start with how to reach Somnath by train, road and air.
Staying nearby? Sagar Darshan is a five minute walk from the temple
Every room at Sagar Darshan Guest House faces the sea, and the Somnath Jyotirlinga is about 400 m away on Somnath Mandir Road. Walk over for the morning aarti, rest through the afternoon and come back to a pure vegetarian dinner after the evening show.