Gujarat Jyotirlingas: Somnath and Nageshwar – Complete Travel Guide
India is home to twelve revered Jyotirlingas, sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Two of these twelve Jyotirlingas are located in Gujarat — Somnath Jyotirlinga near Veraval and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga near Dwarka.
The word Jyotirlinga is derived from two Sanskrit words: Jyoti, meaning divine light or radiance, and Linga, representing the formless nature of Lord Shiva. Jyotirlingas hold a special place in Hindu tradition and are regarded as important places of devotion, pilgrimage, meditation, and spiritual reflection.
The two Jyotirlingas can be visited as part of a wider Dwarka–Somnath pilgrimage, along with destinations such as Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka, Rukmini Devi Temple, Porbandar, Triveni Sangam, and other important religious sites of Gujarat.
Somnath Jyotirlinga
The Somnath Temple is located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Situated on the western coast overlooking the Arabian Sea, it is traditionally regarded as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
The Somnath Jyotirlinga temple is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Gujarat and is also significant for its history, architecture, coastal setting, and religious traditions.
The Legend of Somnath
According to Hindu tradition, the origin of Somnath is associated with Chandra, the Moon God.
According to the traditional account, Chandra then built a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in gold. The sacred site subsequently became known as Somnath, meaning the Lord of Soma or the Moon.
The temple has experienced repeated destruction and reconstruction throughout history. The present temple was reconstructed after India’s independence, with the initiative led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Its Pran-Pratishtha was performed in 1951 by India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Spiritual Significance
For devotees, Somnath is an important place to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple’s location beside the Arabian Sea adds to its distinctive spiritual and scenic setting.
Visitors commonly come for darshan, prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection. The surrounding area also contains several other important religious sites connected with the traditions of Prabhas Patan(Veraval).
Somnath Temple Timings
According to the Shree Somnath Trust:
- Darshan: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Aarti: 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon, and 7:00 PM
- Sound and Light Show: Around 7:45 PM; the schedule may vary by season and weather.
Timings may change during festivals, special occasions, or other temple events, so travellers should check the official temple website before visiting.
Somnath Temple Entry and Visitor Rules
Entry to the main temple is free. Visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering, and the temple provides a shoe-storage facility.
Electronic items such as mobile phones, cameras, smartwatches, laptops, and tablets are not permitted inside the temple premises and can be deposited in the cloakroom/locker facilities.
Visitors should follow the temple’s current instructions regarding dress, security checks, photography, and other restrictions.
How to Reach Somnath
By Train
Somnath Railway Station is the most convenient railway station for visiting the temple and provides rail connectivity to several cities in Gujarat and other parts of India.
By Air
Diu Airport is approximately 63 km from Somnath, while Porbandar Airport is another option for travellers arriving by air.
By Road
Somnath is well connected by road with major destinations in Gujarat, including Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot and Ahmedabad.
Approximate road distances include:
- Junagadh – about 82 km
- Porbandar – about 120 km
- Ahmedabad – about 400–410 km
Distances can vary depending on the route taken.
Places to Visit Near Somnath
A Somnath pilgrimage can easily be combined with several nearby attractions:
- Triveni Sangam
- Bhalka Tirth
- Dehotsarg Tirth
- Geeta Mandir
- Prabhas Patan Museum
- Ahalyabai Temple
- Somnath Beach and the surrounding coastal area
Triveni Sangam is associated with the confluence of the Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati rivers and is an important religious site near Somnath.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
The Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is located near Dwarka in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat. It is one of the twelve revered Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva and is an important stop on the Dwarka pilgrimage circuit.
The temple is located on the route between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka and is surrounded by a relatively peaceful setting. A large statue of Lord Shiva in a seated posture is one of the prominent attractions at the temple complex.
It is commonly referred to by travellers as Dwarka Nageshwar Jyotirlinga because of its proximity to Dwarka.
The Legend of Nageshwar
One of the most popular legends associated with Nageshwar concerns a devotee named Supriya.
According to the traditional story, Supriya and other devotees were imprisoned by the demon Daruka. Despite being imprisoned, Supriya continued to worship Lord Shiva and encouraged the other prisoners to chant “Om Namah Shivaya.”
Moved by their devotion, Lord Shiva appeared and protected the devotees by defeating Daruka. The sacred site subsequently became associated with the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva.
Different traditional accounts and local traditions also connect the region with stories from the Dwapara Yuga.
Spiritual Significance
Nageshwar is regarded by devotees as an important place of worship and devotion to Lord Shiva. Visitors come here for darshan, prayer and meditation.
The peaceful surroundings and large Shiva statue make the temple a popular stop for pilgrims travelling between Dwarka and Bet Dwarka.
Nageshwar Temple Timings
The Gujarat Tourism website currently lists the temple’s visiting hours as:
Dawn to dusk
Unlike Somnath, a fixed hourly darshan schedule is not currently provided on the Gujarat Tourism listing. Travellers should therefore check locally or confirm with the temple before planning a visit at a specific time, particularly during festivals and special occasions.
How to Reach Nageshwar
From Dwarka
Nageshwar Temple is approximately 16–18 km from Dwarka, depending on the starting point and route. It is easily accessible by road and is commonly included in local Dwarka sightseeing itineraries.
By Train
Dwarka Railway Station is the nearest convenient railway station. The temple is approximately 16–18 km away by road.
By Air
Travellers can reach the Dwarka region through airports such as Jamnagar and Porbandar, followed by a road journey to Dwarka and Nageshwar. Airport distances can vary depending on the airport and route.
Places to Visit Near Nageshwar
Nageshwar can be combined with several important destinations around Dwarka, including:
- Dwarkadhish Temple
- Rukmini Devi Temple
- Bet Dwarka
- Gopi Talav
- Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
- Dwarka Beach
This makes Nageshwar particularly convenient for travellers planning a wider Dwarka pilgrimage.
Dwarka to Somnath Distance
The road distance between Dwarka and Somnath is approximately 230–240 km, depending on the route and exact starting and ending points.
By road, the journey generally takes around 5–6 hours, although actual travel time can vary because of traffic, road conditions, stops, and the route selected.
The journey can be planned in either direction:
Dwarka → Nageshwar → Porbandar → Somnath
or
Somnath → Porbandar → Nageshwar → Dwarka
Porbandar is a convenient stop between the two pilgrimage destinations and can be included for travellers interested in visiting Kirti Mandir and Sudama Temple.
Somnath and Nageshwar: Which One Should You Visit First?
There is no religious requirement to visit one particular temple before the other. The order can simply depend on your overall itinerary.
For travellers starting from Dwarka, a practical route is:
Dwarka → Nageshwar → Bet Dwarka → Porbandar → Somnath
For travellers starting from Somnath, the reverse route works well:
Somnath → Porbandar → Nageshwar → Dwarka
If you are visiting both Jyotirlingas as part of a dedicated pilgrimage, it is generally practical to allow at least 2–3 days for Dwarka and Somnath, depending on the number of nearby attractions you want to cover.
Best Time to Visit Somnath and Nageshwar
The most comfortable period for visiting the two Jyotirlingas is generally October to March, when the weather is more suitable for temple visits and sightseeing.
For Somnath, the cooler months from October to February are particularly comfortable. Nageshwar is also recommended by Gujarat Tourism during the cooler period of November to February.
Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri is one of the most important festivals for devotees of Lord Shiva. Both Somnath and Nageshwar attract large numbers of pilgrims during this period.
If you want to experience the festival atmosphere, Mahashivratri can be an excellent time to visit. However, expect larger crowds, longer queues, and higher demand for accommodation and transportation.
For a Quieter Visit
If your priority is a relatively peaceful darshan experience, consider travelling outside major festivals and holiday periods.
Early morning visits can also be preferable for travellers who want to avoid the busiest parts of the day.
How Many Days Are Needed for a Somnath–Dwarka Trip?
The ideal duration depends on how many attractions you want to include.
2 Days
Suitable for travellers focusing mainly on the two Jyotirlingas and the major Dwarka temples.
Example:
Day 1: Dwarka – Dwarkadhish Temple – Nageshwar – nearby attractions
Day 2: Travel towards Somnath – Somnath Temple – nearby religious sites
3 Days
A more comfortable option that allows time for additional attractions.
Day 1: Dwarka local sightseeing
Day 2: Nageshwar – Bet Dwarka – Porbandar – travel towards Somnath
Day 3: Somnath Temple – Triveni Sangam – Bhalka Tirth – other nearby attractions
4–5 Days
Recommended if you want to explore the region at a relaxed pace and include more destinations such as Porbandar, Bet Dwarka, coastal attractions, and other religious sites.
Things to Know Before Visiting
Keep the following points in mind when planning your visit:
- Check the latest temple timings before travelling, especially during festivals.
- Follow all temple rules regarding dress, footwear, photography, mobile phones and electronic devices.
- At Somnath, electronic gadgets including mobile phones and cameras are not permitted inside the temple and can be deposited in the designated facility.
- Expect additional security checks at major temples.
- During Mahashivratri and other major festivals, allow extra time for queues and darshan.
- Wear comfortable and respectful clothing suitable for temple visits.
- Carry drinking water when travelling between destinations, particularly during warmer months.
- Keep some flexibility in your itinerary because temple queues, traffic, and festival arrangements can affect travel time.
- If you are travelling with senior citizens or young children, avoid scheduling too many attractions in a single day.
- Temple timings and visitor rules can change, so verify the latest information before your journey.
Somnath and Nageshwar Pilgrimage Route
A popular Gujarat pilgrimage route covering both Jyotirlingas is:
Dwarka → Nageshwar → Bet Dwarka → Porbandar → Somnath
This route combines two major Shiva pilgrimage sites with important Krishna-related destinations and the cultural heritage of coastal Gujarat.
Travellers can customise the route according to their starting point, number of days, transportation preference, and the attractions they want to include.
For those planning a Gujarat pilgrimage, Somnath and Nageshwar together provide an opportunity to visit two of India’s most revered Jyotirlinga shrines while exploring the religious, historical and coastal heritage of Gujarat.