In Prabhas Patan (Somnath), Gujarat, Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple honours Lord Shiva (regarded as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas). It is also known as Somnath Mandir, Somnath.
Traditionally revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, set dramatically on the seashore. Somnath at Prabhas Patan is an ancient and once immensely wealthy shrine that was attacked and destroyed many times, most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni in the early 11th century, and rebuilt after each destruction.
Gujarat carries a distinct temple identity of its own: Gujarat's sacred coast and hills hold the first Jyotirlinga at Somnath, Krishna's kingdom at Dwarka, a Shakti Peeth at Ambaji and the temple-crowned heights of Girnar.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | Darshan from 6:00 AM; Aartis at 7:00 AM and 12:00 noon |
| Evening | Darshan until 10:00 PM; evening Aarti at 7:00 PM; Light and Sound Show 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (except in the monsoon) |
Darshan timings are 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Aarti timings: 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. The 'Jay Somnath' Light and Sound Show runs 8:00-9:00 PM except during the rainy season.
Poojas and daily rituals
Three daily aartis at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM; Havan/Yagna facilities available by arrangement with the trust
Daily aarti and pooja schedule
| Ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Temple opens | 6:00 AM |
| Morning Aarti | 7:00 AM |
| Madhyanha (Noon) Aarti | 12:00 PM |
| Sandhya (Evening) Aarti | 7:00 PM |
| Temple closes | 10:00 PM |
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Mahashivratri | February/March | The great night of Shiva, celebrated with special puja and all-night worship. |
| Shravan month | July/August | The holy month of Shiva, observed with special worship. |
| Kartik Purnima Fair | November/December | A five-day fair on the full moon of Kartik with stalls, lights and special prayers. |
History and architecture
Architecture
Built in the traditional Gujarat Maru-Gurjara (Chalukya/Solanki) style by craftsmen of the Sompura family, with a tall shikhara over the sanctum, carved panels and columned halls, standing beside the Arabian Sea.
History
Somnath at Prabhas Patan is an ancient and once immensely wealthy shrine that was attacked and destroyed many times, most famously by Mahmud of Ghazni in the early 11th century, and rebuilt after each destruction. The last major reconstruction was completed in the mid-20th century, and the present Shree Somnath Temple was reopened in 1951. It is managed by the Shree Somnath Trust.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Somnath Railway Station is about 0.5 km away and Veraval Junction about 7 km. Nearest airports are Diu (about 85 km), Rajkot (about 200 km) and Ahmedabad (about 390 km). Well connected by GSRTC and private buses.
Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple in photographs
5 freely-licensed photographs of this temple, from Wikimedia Commons. Each is credited to its photographer.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: High. Re-verified directly on the live official Shree Somnath Trust site (somnath.org), both the FAQ page and the Somnath Darshan page. Darshan hours (6:00 AM - 10:00 PM), the three aarti times (7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, 7:00 PM), free entry, dress code and no-photography rules all match exactly what was already recorded. The site's own two pages give slightly different times for the separate 'Jay Somnath' Light and Sound Show (FAQ says 8:00-9:00 PM, the Somnath Darshan page says 7:45-8:45 PM); this is a minor internal inconsistency on the temple's own site, not a change to darshan/aarti timings, and is not itself a ritual so it is left out of ritualSchedule. No special/VIP paid darshan tier is mentioned anywhere on the official site - entry is stated as free of cost with no separate paid tier, so no darshanTiers were added.