Sun Temple

The temple as it exists today was formally established in 1951, with its principal consecration ceremony conducted on 11 May of that year by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President of India. This relatively recent founding reflects the temple's reconstruction following earlier periods of the site's history. The Somnath Trust now manages the temple and its associated facilities, overseeing both the spiritual functions and the practical arrangements for the thousands of visitors who arrive throughout the year.

Daily Worship and Darshan

The temple maintains open darshan from 06:00 to 22:00 daily, providing extended hours for devotees to approach the sanctum. Two principal aartis structure the day's ritual life: the Mangala Aarti begins at 07:00 in the early morning, while the Sandhya Aarti takes place at 19:00 in the evening. These ceremonies form the core of the temple's worship cycle, with priests performing the ritual offerings and invocations that constitute formal puja.

Beyond the standard daily aartis, the temple offers specialized worship services for those seeking personalized rituals. Bilva Puja—an offering of bilva leaves to the deity—can be arranged, as can Vardhapan Puja, performed to mark birthdays and other significant occasions. Devotees wishing to commission these services should book through the Somnath Trust's official website at somnath.org. The temple also provides online darshan for those unable to visit physically, extending access to the sacred space beyond the temple's physical boundaries.

Festivals and Celebrations

Throughout the year, the temple observes several significant festivals that draw increased numbers of pilgrims. Guru Purnima, celebrated in July, honours spiritual teachers and brings devotees for special worship. Raksha Bandhan in August, which marks the bond between siblings, brings families to the temple for observance. Dhanteras in November inaugurates the Diwali season and honours both Dhanvantari and Lakshmi; on this day the temple is elaborately decorated and experiences heightened activity. Festival days typically feature enhanced decoration and intensified worship, though specific timings may differ from the regular daily schedule.

Facilities and Practical Information

The Somnath Trust manages guest house accommodation for visiting devotees, with online room booking available through somnath.org. The trust also coordinates the distribution of prashad (blessed food offerings) and accepts donations for worship through official channels only. Pilgrims should be aware that the trust conducts all legitimate bookings and financial transactions exclusively through its official website and authorized offices in Ahmedabad and at the temple site itself. The trust explicitly advises against making payments through private phone numbers, WhatsApp, or unofficial intermediaries, as fraudulent booking schemes have been reported.

Reaching the Temple

The temple is located in Somnath, Prabhas Patan, in Gir Somnath District, Gujarat, at coordinates 23.5838063, 72.1326846. For inquiries and offline bookings, the Somnath Trust's central booking office at the temple site can be contacted, or visitors may reach the trust's Ahmedabad office. The official website somnath.org provides comprehensive information about facilities, services, and current arrangements for pilgrims planning their visit.