The Somnath temple in Prabhas Patan near Veraval, Gujarat, is revered as the first among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Darshan is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with aartis at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM, and a light-and-sound show in the evening from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM (except in the rainy season). The present temple was rebuilt at the initiative of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and President Dr. Rajendra Prasad performed the Pran Pratistha on 11 May 1951. This article covers the timings, the history, and how Somnath differs from a Tirumala visit.
Darshan and aarti timings
- Darshan: daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Aarti: 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM.
- Light-and-sound show: 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, except during the monsoon.
The Shree Somnath Trust administers the temple and publishes these timings. The evening aarti and the light-and-sound show, which narrates the temple’s history against the backdrop of the structure, are the highlights for most visitors. Live darshan is also streamed by the Trust for devotees who cannot attend in person.
The first Jyotirlinga
Somnath is counted as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, shrines where Shiva is worshipped as a pillar of light. Its location on the Saurashtra coast, where the Shipra and other sacred associations meet the sea, has made it a major pilgrimage site for centuries. The Prabhas Patan area carries deep puranic significance, and the temple’s standing as the foremost Jyotirlinga draws pilgrims from across India.
A history of destruction and rebuilding
Somnath was desecrated and plundered repeatedly between roughly the eleventh and eighteenth centuries, and each time the temple was rebuilt by the resolve of its devotees. After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins on 13 November 1947 and resolved to reconstruct the temple. The modern structure that resulted had its Pran Pratistha performed by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, on 11 May 1951. That cycle of destruction and reconstruction is central to the temple’s identity.
Planning a visit
Somnath is reached via Veraval, the nearest railhead and town, with road links across Saurashtra and the nearest airports at Diu and Rajkot. The Trust runs pilgrim facilities near the temple. Photography rules, security screening, and a dress code apply at the temple, so leave restricted items and check the Trust’s instructions. Mornings and the evening aarti are the most rewarding times, and the light-and-sound show rounds off an evening visit.
For what it’s worth, timing your visit to catch the 7:00 PM aarti followed by the 8:00 PM light-and-sound show makes for the fullest experience at Somnath; the show’s account of the temple’s repeated rebuilding lands far harder when you are standing before the actual structure.
Common questions
What are the Somnath darshan timings?
Darshan is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with aartis at 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM. The light-and-sound show runs 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM except in the monsoon. These are published by the Shree Somnath Trust; confirm the current schedule on somnath.org before travelling, as timings can change on festival days.
Why is Somnath called the first Jyotirlinga?
Among the twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas of Shiva, Somnath is traditionally listed first, which is why it holds special primacy among the twelve. The shrines mark places where Shiva is worshipped as a column of light. Somnath’s coastal Prabhas Patan location and its puranic associations underpin that foremost status.
Who rebuilt the present temple?
The modern temple was reconstructed at the initiative of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who visited the ruins on 13 November 1947. President Dr. Rajendra Prasad performed the Pran Pratistha on 11 May 1951. The temple had been destroyed and rebuilt many times over the preceding centuries, and this was its post-independence restoration.
How is Somnath different from Tirumala?
Somnath is a coastal Shiva Jyotirlinga in Gujarat run by the Shree Somnath Trust, with open daily darshan and no TTD-style paid-quota system. Tirumala is the Venkateswara temple in Andhra Pradesh run by TTD, with free Sarva Darshan tokens and Rs.300 Special Entry slots booked on tirumala.org. They are different deities, regions, and administrations.
A limitation worth noting
One limitation worth noting: Somnath’s darshan and aarti timings and the light-and-sound show schedule are set by the Shree Somnath Trust and can change on festival days and during the monsoon, when the evening show is suspended. The timings and historical dates here reflect official information, but verify the current schedule on somnath.org before you travel.
References: Shree Somnath Trust darshan, Wikipedia: Somnath Temple, Gujarat Tourism: Somnath.
