Things to do when visiting Somnath Temple
About Temple of Somnath
Jyotirlinga
India has twelve Aadi Jyotirlingas, the first of which is Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple. It is a significant Indian pilgrimage site and can be found at Veraval, Saurashtra, in the Gujarat province. The Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is mentioned in several stories. The name Somnath, which is an honorific for Lord Shiva, translates to "Lord of the Soma (Moon)".
When to Visit Somnath Temple?
Temperatures at Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple range from 10 to 28 degrees Celsius throughout the winter months of October to February, making it the ideal time to visit.
Triveni Sangam
Somnath has long been a pilgrimage destination due to the meeting of the rivers Kapila, Hiran, and the fabled Saraswathy. Hindus consider the merging of these rivers, known as Triveni Sangam, to be a sign of birth, life, and death. It is also thought that Soma, the Moon God, was once cursed, which caused him to lose his radiance. To restore it, he had taken a bath in the Saraswati River.
Interesting Information
The temple's location is really unique. Antarctica and the temple are separated by no land (south pole).
The area where the temple is located is also thought to be where Lord Krishna concluded his earthly lila and went for his Nij Dham.
There was a miraculous stone at Somnath Temple named Syamantaka Mani, and it was said to have the power to turn anything it came in contact with into gold.
Long before the temple was constructed there, the Triveni Sangam turned it into a popular pilgrimage site.
The following list of fascinating things to do in Somnath:
Somnath Prabhas Patan Museum activitiesVisit the Temples - There are a number of temples that are respected, including the Mahadev Temple, the Veneshwar Mahadev Temple, the Old Mandir by Ahilyabai, and the Laxmi Narayan Mandir. Each year, thousands of pilgrims come to the holy town to offer their respects. Don't pass up the chance to admire the majestic temples' history and architecture.
Visit the Forts and Museums - Somnath is a historic city. There are numerous historical buildings and forts still standing today that tell stories of earlier times. Some fascinating artifacts from the 12th century are on display in the Prabhas Patan Museum.
Relax at the beaches - Being a coastal town, it offers a variety of beaches to aid in your relaxation.
Shop at the Neighborhood Bazaar: Somnath has a fascinating handicrafts market with a variety of goods to purchase. Visit the neighborhood bazaar, and prepare to be fascinated.
Tourist Attractions
Rock Beach
For all kinds of travelers, Somnath has a wide range of attractions. Here are a few tourist attractions:
Visit the Shree Jyotirlinga Temple to get a sense of the town's history, architecture, and divinity.
Chorwad Beach is among Somnath's most picturesque locations. Although swimming is not advised here, it is a wonderful area to unwind and take in the magnificent dawn and sunset.
The Prabhas Patan Museum was founded in 1921 and houses a collection of around 3500 items, including sculptures and artifacts from the past.
Laxmi Narayan Temple is beautifully crafted as a duplicate of the well-known Laxmi Narayan Temple in Badrinath, this temple features an elaborate architectural structure. It provides some spectacular sunset views as it stands on the calm shores of Somnath.
The Shree Parshuram Temple is thought to have been built on the site where Bhagwan Parshuram atoned for the Kshatriya killings. Additionally, the temple is home to temples honoring Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman.
Buddhist influence was also present in ancient Somnath, as evidenced by the Sana Buddhist Caves. The Sana Caves are a reminder of ancient days. You can spend a lot of time appreciating these man-made shelters thanks to the intricate network of 62 caves.
Nearby tourist attractions
Here are some tourist destinations close to Somnath to take into account if you are staying in this coastal city for a few days:
Sasan Gir is a Nature Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary close to Talala Gir in Gujarat and is situated at a distance of roughly 70 km. You can take a jungle safari to explore the region's diverse range of plants and animals.
Dwarka is one of India's Char Dhams and is situated about 240 kilometers away. It is also one of India's seven oldest religious cities.
Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, which is situated about 131 kilometers away. Porbandar has something for all types of travelers, from beaches to religious sites.
Diu Island: A vacation getaway with family and friends, Diu Island is only about 75 kilometers away.
Planning a trip to Somnath
Here is how to get to this town of pilgrimage by train:
The closest train station to Somnath is Veraval. It has excellent connections to the nation's largest cities. Around 6 miles separate Somnath from the Veraval Railway Station. You may quickly get from Veraval to Somnath by taking a taxi.
Somnath is well connected to main Gujarati cities by road.
Somnath is easily accessible from the following cities:
The Junagadh-Mendarda Highway, which is around 85 km long, is the quickest way to get from Junagadh to Somnath.
The shortest route between Rajkot and Somnath is about 200 kilometers long and takes the NH27 and NH151.
The shortest way from Ahmedabad to Somnath is through NH47, which is about 410 kilometers.
The shortest way to get from Porbandar to Somnath is by NH51, which is about 140 kilometers.
By Airplane
Keshod Airport, which is around 55 kilometers away, is the closest airport. Almost all of India's major cities have flights to it. You can also reserve a taxi from the Ahmedabad airport to Somnath. Download the Savaari vehicle app for the best deals and discounts from all the above mentioned cities and towns.
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