Sun Temple

The temple maintains regular darshan hours from 06:00 to 22:00 daily, allowing devotees extended access to the sanctum. Two principal aartis structure the day's worship: the Mangala Aarti at 07:00 in the early morning and the Sandhya Aarti at 19:00 in the evening. These ritual performances form the core of daily religious activity.

Beyond the standard aartis, the temple offers specialized worship services for devotees. These include Bilva Puja, a ritual focused on offerings of bilva leaves to the deity, and Vardhapan Puja, performed for birthdays and special occasions. Devotees can arrange these services through the temple's official channels, with online booking available through the Somnath Trust's website. The temple also provides online darshan facilities for those unable to visit in person, extending access to the sacred space beyond physical presence.

Festivals and Observances

The temple celebrates several significant festivals throughout the year. Guru Purnima, observed in July, honours spiritual teachers and draws devotees for special worship. Raksha Bandhan in August, marking the bond between siblings, brings families to the temple. Dhanteras in November, which inaugurates the Diwali season and honours Dhanvantari and Lakshmi, sees the temple beautifully decorated and bustling with pilgrims. Festival days typically feature enhanced decoration and heightened activity, though specific timings may vary from regular schedules.

Facilities for Pilgrims

The Somnath Trust manages accommodation facilities for visiting devotees, with online room booking available through the official website at somnath.org. The trust also coordinates prashad (blessed food offerings) distribution and accepts donations for worship through official channels. Pilgrims should note that the trust conducts all legitimate bookings and financial transactions exclusively through its official website and authorized offices—the trust explicitly advises against engaging with unofficial intermediaries, social media contacts, or private numbers claiming to represent the temple, as fraudulent booking schemes have been reported.

For offline bookings or inquiries, the trust maintains a central booking office at the temple site in Somnath and an office in Ahmedabad. The temple office can be reached at +91-94282 14914.

Visiting Information

Somnath Temple is located at Prabhas Patan in Gir Somnath District, Gujarat, at coordinates 23.5838°N, 72.1327°E. The temple sits on the Arabian Sea coast, making it accessible to visitors arriving by various routes. Pilgrims should confirm current darshan timings and any festival-related schedule changes with the temple before travelling, as timings may vary on significant religious days.

Visitors to temples dedicated to Shiva typically observe standard etiquette: removing footwear before entering the sanctum, maintaining respectful conduct during aartis, and following any specific instructions provided by temple staff. The coastal location means weather conditions can vary seasonally, and visitors should plan accordingly.