Somnath Tour

This small temple town in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat is named after Lord Shiva and is home to the world-known Somnath Temple. Located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, Somnath is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. The temple was looted, plundered and destroyed around 17 times by Muslim invaders and subsequently rebuilt & restored many a times; earning it the moniker of ?The Eternal Shrine?. The present temple built in 1951, is the 7th reconstruction on the site.

The Legend of Somnath
It is believed that once the Moon God was cursed to fade and ultimately vanish. He then built the Somanth Temple in gold to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva who in turn partially reversed the curse of moon to a waning & waxing cycle. This eternal shrine has been there since times immemorial and finds reference in ancient Hindu religious texts.

Somnath Temple
Built in Chalukya-style on the tip of the Saurashtra Peninsula, the temple lies at the confluence of three rivers and commands a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea. Its vast courtyard is home to the massive hall that holds the main shrine. The idol of Nandi and the central Shiv Lingam in the shrine are quite impressive. Embellished with colossal silverdoors, intricately carved fa?ade, and a 15m tall spire; the temple is certainly an architectural masterpiece.

Triveni Ghat
A confluence of Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati rivers, the Ghat holds a special place in the Hindu mythology. It is believed that Lord Krishna bathed here before his journey to Goluka Dham- his eternal abode. A dip in this ghat is believed to absolve you of all your sins.

Kamnath Mahadev Temple
This 200 year old temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its holy waters are considered to be sacred and medicinal by the believers.

Bhalka Teerth
Bhalka Teerth finds a special mention in Indian mythology as the spot where Lord Krishna received a fatal wound from the arrow of an errant hunter while he was resting under a Pipal tree. Krishna forgave the hunter and kept on his journey to Dehotsarg.

Dehotsarg
This is the place where Lord Krishna shed his mortal body and departed for his heavenly abode.

Old Somnath Temple
This pink painted temple, right opposite to the new Somnath temple, was built by Queen Ahilyabai of the Holkar dynasty. As per a legend, the authentic Jyotirlinga of Somnath was buried in this temple assuming that the original temple would be raided and is believed to lie there still.

Fairs and Festivals in Somnath

• Karthik Poornima Fair at Somnath Temple
• Shravan Fair- Celebrating the culmination on the holy month of Shravan
• Light and Sound Show at Somnath Temple

Shopping in Somnath
Colorful items like sequin studded & embroidered clothes & bags, religious memorabilia, and a whole lot of trinkets and baubles may be picked from the market in Somnath.

Best Time to Visit
This beautiful temple city is best visited in winters from October to March.

How to Reach
By Air- Diu Airport, around 84kms from Somnath, is the closest airport connecting Somnath with Ahmedabad, Goa and Chennai.
By Rail- Somnath Railway Station connects the city with the other cities in the region.
By Road- A well-developed network of roads and highways connect Somnath to the rest of India.

Our Somnath Tour Packages take you on a spiritual journey to this beautiful temple that is not only a major pilgrimage and an architectural marvel but also a symbol of resilience of spirit.