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Gujarat

Somnath

First of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, on the Arabian Sea

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Best time to visit Somnath

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: April to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Somnath season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Cool sea breeze and comfortable temple hours - best time to combine with Diu or Gir.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Hot and glaring on the open temple grounds, midday visits are tough going.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Dramatic crashing seas by the temple, but humid with occasional heavy downpours.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Comfortable and clear by October, a good lead-in to the winter pilgrim season.

What Somnath is actually like

Devotional pilgrim crowds and a seaside sound-and-light show - quiet, little socialising

Getting to Somnath

Fly to Diu (1h) or Rajkot (3h), then drive; also rail-connected

Practical ways in: flighttrainroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Shoestring
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Doable solo with some planning
Altitude
0 m
State
Gujarat
Coordinates
20.8880, 70.4013

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Somnath?

November to February is peak season in Somnath. March and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid April to September. Comfortable and clear by October, a good lead-in to the winter pilgrim season.

How many days do you need in Somnath?

2 days is the usual stay. Devotional pilgrim crowds and a seaside sound-and-light show - quiet, little socialising.

How do you get to Somnath?

Fly to Diu (1h) or Rajkot (3h), then drive; also rail-connected. Practical ways in: flight, train and road.

Is Somnath expensive, and does it get crowded?

Shoestring by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Doable solo with some planning.

Is there a festival in Somnath?

Feb/Mar: Maha Shivratri - biggest pilgrim gathering of the year. Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Gujarat

All 27 destinations in Gujarat