Mythology Fact: In Hindu mythology, the Moon God lost his lustre due to a curse. To restore it, he bathed in the Saraswati River. This is how the town got its name: Somnath, meaning ‘the lord of the Moon’. Somnath is one of the most sacred towns, and it houses the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. From grand temples and ancient caves to scenic beaches and bustling markets, there are several top places to visit in Somnath that cater to both pilgrims and explorers. While exploring these places, this culturally rich town introduces you to a perfect blend of spirituality, history, and coastal serenity. Explore These Top Tourist Places in Somnath and make the most of your Gujarat tour.

Top 10 Attractions in Somnath You Must Visit

• Somnath Temple
• Somnath Beach
• Triveni Sangam
• Laxmi Narayan Temple
• Panch Pandav Gufa
• Gir National Park
• Junagarh Gate
• Prabhas Patan Museum
• Suraj Mandir
• Bhalka Tirth

1. Somnath Temple

First, among the 12 Jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple is built on a place where Lord Shiva is believed to appear as a fiery column of light. The primary temple has been built in gold by the Moon God. It has been reconstructed several times after repeated destruction by invaders and rulers. The present temple was built in 1951 in the Chalukya style of architecture. There are so many places to visit near somnath temple like Ban Ganga, Gita Mandir, Samudra Darshan Path these are the places the you can cover in one to two days tour.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Somnath Mandir Road, Gujarat
• Nearby Places: Ban Ganga, Samudra Darshan Path, Gita Mandir

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2. Somnath Beach 

Situated at just 750 m from Somnath Temple, it is one of the most famous beaches in Gujarat. Somnath Beach is renowned for clear water, long stretches of sandy shores, and sparkling waves. This beach is not ideal for swimming as the waves are very high. However, the scenic beauty of this beach is beyond description. It is a paradise for beach lovers and an amazing place to hang out with family and friends.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Near Somnath Temple
• Nearby Places: Camel Ride Zone, Somnath Trust Garden

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3. Triveni Sangam

The confluence of three holy rivers – Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati Rivers, Triveni Sangam holds a significant place in Hindu Mythology. In Somnath, it is one of the important places to visit. It is believed that bathing at Triveni Sangam washes sins and also helps in achieving salvation. According to mythology, it is considered to be the cremation spot of Lord Krishna. Do not miss an opportunity to take a boat ride to the confluence point.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Near Gita Mandir, Prabhas Patan
• Nearby Places: Laxmi Narayan Temple, Harihar Van

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4. Laxmi Narayan Temple

Situated on the bank of the Triveni Theerth, Lakshmi Narayan Temple was constructed by Raja Sahil Verma. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi, the temple is famous for the carvings on its pillars. These carvings depict the sacred message of Lord Krishna, mentioned in Bhagavad Gita. This fact makes the temple one of the most popular places to visit in Somnath.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Triveni Tirth Road
• Nearby Places: Gita Mandir, Somnath Beach

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5. Panch Pandav Gufa 

Situated in the Lalghati, Panch Pandav Gufa is a cave temple, dedicated to the Pandavas. Also known as Hinglaj Mata Temple, Panch Pandav Gufa is one of the holy and interesting places to visit in near Somnath. The cave temple also has shrines, which are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Durga.

• Timings: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Lalghati, Somnath
• Nearby Places: Harihar Van, Gita Mandir

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6. Gir National Park 

Gir National Park is the only dwelling place of endangered Asiatic Lions other than Africa. It is home to 36 species of mammals, 300 species of birds, 40 species of reptiles and amphibians. Spread on 1413 sq. km of land in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, Gir National Park comprises three reserves that are adjoined and comprise of Nalsarovar Lake, Rann of Kutch, and an Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary. Note: The national park remains open from 16th October to 15th June every year.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Open from 16th Oct to 15th June)
• Entry Fee: Safari charges apply
• Location: Approx. 70 km from Somnath
• Nearby Places: Devalia Safari Park

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7. Junagarh Gate

The only entrance of Somnath from the nearest city of Veraval, Junagarh Gate happens to be one of the most important historical attractions of Somnath. This landmark boasts of intricate carvings dating back to ancient times and also has a sculpted tiger on the top of the gate. Junagarh Gate stands the test of time and is an example of the grandeur and splendid history of the town.

• Timings: Open 24 hours
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Veraval-Somnath Road
• Nearby Places: Veraval Port

Read Also : Check out these 12 Jyotirlingas in India that every devotee must visit to attain Moksha.

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8. Prabhas Patan Museum

Prabhas Patan Museum is an archeological museum, which comprises a stunning collection of 3500 objects under 3 major categories. The museum showcases different artifacts like sculpture, carved stones, statues, sacred waters, pottery shards, seashells, inscriptions, and coins from different times. It is a perfect place to get an insight into the intriguing history of Gujarat.

• Timings: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Entry Fee: ₹5 (Indian), ₹50 (Foreigner), ₹100 (Camera)
• Location: Near Check Post, Prabhas Patan
• Nearby Places: Somnath Temple, Bhalka Tirth

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9. Suraj Mandir

Situated near the Triveni Ghat and dedicated to Sun God, Suraj Mandir is as old as the primary Somnath Temple. Being a popular worshipping place, this temple was also a victim of plundering and invasions, as recorded in the annals of history. The temple has many animal figurines like lion and elephant. It is regarded as an architectural marvel and a must-visit place in Somnath.

• Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Near Triveni Ghat
• Nearby Places: Laxmi Narayan Temple, Hiran River

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10. Bhalka Tirth

Dedicated to Lord Krishna, Bhalka Tirth is one of the most significant temples in Somnath. It is believed that the temple is constructed on a place where Jara, the hunter, mistakenly shot an arrow at Lord Krishna and he left his earthly existence for his heavenly abode. The divine Leela of Lord Krishna is immortalized in this beautiful temple.

• Timings: 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Bhalka, Veraval
• Nearby Places: Dehotsarg Teerth, Somnath Beach

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You have just explored the many facets of Somnath where legends live, history breathes, and devotion runs deep. These places have several stories and legends revolving around them. Now, you have a list of amazing attractions to plan your trip to Somnath. Explore these wonderful places and get a glimpse of this popular town’s rich culture and history.

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