Somnath Tourism

The Somnath temple is an important sacred site for Hindus and attracts scores of pilgrims every year. It is believed to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. But far from being only a religious site, Somnath holds marvels of history, culture, art, architecture along with being in the lap of nature, outlined by the Arabian Sea.

For a history buff, Somnath offers a rich glimpse into the past, its glory and shame. Having been attacked, pillaged for about 17 times, the Somnath temple has through history been a significant site for trade, religion, and cultural importance. The Somnath museum is a museum worth visiting even for everyone as it allows you to peep into the glory of the past and its passage to the future. This museum houses exquisite artifacts of earlier temples, art treasures dating back to ancient India, holy water of different rivers. 12th-century toranas, carved pillars, ancient stone apsaras, 11th-century sculptures of Lord Agni, Vishnu, Parvati, Mantra Bhairava, Uma Maheshwar – everything to get a history enthusiast absolutely enthused.

The Somnath temple itself is a marvelous example of the Chalukya style of Hindu architecture, adorned with intricate carving on pillars, cornice for downward movement of rainwater, a manner to protect from the scorching heat, soapstone projections for wall carvings and many other facets that not only make it a feast for the eyes but also an engineering marvel to appreciate. There are more historical and architectural wonders to be found in the fortified town of Veraval city, Junagadh gate Chorwad, taking you back into a time filled with enigmatic art and culture.

But there is much more to Somnath than just architecture, history, and religiosity. Its proximity to the coast adds another vibrant dynamic to this beautiful place. The Somnath Temple itself has the backdrop of the Arabian Sea and the strong waves can be heard hitting the sea shore as you bow down before Lord Shiva in the temple. Somnath beach has fine sand and strong wave where people enjoy strolls in the cool sea breeze, horse riding, sun bathing, and watching the sunset. Veraval beach is another beach that gives a panoramic view to the Arabian Sea and is also a major sea port throughout history. The sunset point is where the tourists and locals flock to, watching the sun hide behind the Arabian Sea. If you venture a little outside Somnath, Chorwad a coastal village sends some scenic views of the sea, white sand interspersed with rocks which can be enjoyed on a boat ride on the waves.

Somnath is also a wonderful destination considering its close proximity and ease of connectivity to other parts of Gujarat. You will not get bored of this quaint little town as you can make short trips to Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Porbandar, and Dwarka from Somnath either through affordable public transport or by cruising down the well-maintained wide roads. This makes Somnath a wholesome destination that enriches you with its natural beauty, its rich history, its warm people, its vibrant handloom and handicraft and unique mix of modernity and tradition that is preserved with such gusto.