The Somnath Temple, located at the western coast of Gujarat is one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva in India. It is the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple has great spiritual significance. It is said that the Moon God was relieved from the curse of his father-in-law Prajapati Daksha by the blessings of Lord Somnath (shiva). Outsiders tried to invade this temple many times during the 11th to 18th century but the temple was rebuilt every time due to the spiritual resilience and faith of the people. In this post you will get to know about the proper way to reach Somnath Temple to plan your spiritual journey hassle free.
Somnath Temple Quick Facts
Temple | Details |
Somnath Temple Deity | Lord Shiva |
Location | Gir Somnath, Saurashtra (Gujarat) |
Best Time to Visit | October to February |
Popular Festivals | Mahashiv Ratri, Shravan Prarambh, Somnath Sthapanadin, Janmashtami, Vijayadashmi, Holi |
Entry Fee | Free |
Nearest Airport | Diu Airport, Rajkot Airport and Ahmedabad Airport |
Nearest Railway Station | Somnath Railway Station and Veraval Railway station |
Different Ways to Reach Somnath Temple:
Somnath Temple By Road
If you want to enjoy the beautiful scenic landscapes during your sacred journey to Somnath then opting for the road route is the best option. Somnath has good road connectivity.
Somnath Distance from different Cities
Somnath from Ahmedabad Distance– 408.5 km
- Time taken to Reach– 7-8 Hours
- Route– NH 47
Somnath from Rajkot Distance- 194.9 km
- Time Taken to Reach- 3-4 Hours
- Route- NH 27 and NH 151
Somnath from Dwarka Distance– 237.2 Km
- Time Taken to Reach- 4-5 Hours
- Route- NH27 and NH 51
Somnath from Porbandar Distance-130.7Km
- Time Taken to Reach-2-3 Hours
- Route- NH-51 and NH-151
Note– Taxis are the best option to enjoy the scenic journey. You can contact any car rental company which will offer the best taxis to reach Somnath.
Somnath By Air
Reaching Somnath Temple by air is one of the most convenient options for pilgrims. It is not time consuming and hassle free. You don’t have to make any effort to navigate difficult road routes to reach Somnath.
Let’s know about the nearest Airports for Somnath Temple
The nearest Airport to Somnath Temple is Diu Airport. The other two Airports are Rajkot Airport and Ahmedabad Airport.
Distances of Airport from Somnath
- Diu Airport– 85 Km
- Time Taken to Reach – 1-2 Hours
- Rajkot Airport– 200 Km
- Time Taken to Reach– 4-5 Hours
- Ahmedabad Airport- 390 Km
- Time Taken to Reach– 6-7 Hours
Note– From the airport you will get taxis and cabs to reach Somnath temple easily.
Somnath By Train
The nearest Railway station to Somnath is Somnath Railway Station and Veraval Railway Station. From Railway stations taxis and cabs are easily accessible to reach Somnath Temple.
- Somnath Railway station is 0.5 Km from the temple. It is the nearest Railway station to reach Somnath.
- Veraval Railway Station is also one of the nearest railway stations for Somnath. It is located 7 km away from Somnath. It is connected to major cities like Dwarka, Rajkot, Junagadh and Ahmedabad etc.
- Somnath Express is a popular train operating from Ahmedabad to reach Somnath.
Tips for Booking Transportation for Somnath Temple
It is very important to book the best transport for Somnath for Hassle Free journey. Here are some useful tips to book best vehicle to reach Somnath Temple-
- Book your trains early- If you are planning to visit Somnath Temple during festivals and peak tourism season then you need to book your trains in advance. Trains from Ahmedabad and Mumbai fill up very fast. Avoid non- availability of trains by booking your train 1-2 months in advance.
- Flight and Cab options- If you have selected a flight option to travel to Somnath then it’s a convenient option. You can pre-book your cabs to save your time or hire Ola/ Uber services to travel comfortably to Somnath. You will also get the best Car rental services at the best price to reach Somnath.
- Reliable Buses- You can also travel by buses if you are in a nearby city from Somnath. You will also get buses from major cities like Ahmedabad, Porbandar, Rajkot etc. for overnight journeys.
- Always negotiate round trip fares, driver charges, toll taxes and parking charges before booking any cab or taxi to avoid last minute hassle and disputes.
- If you have rented a Car Rental service without a driver then you have to figure out all the routes on your own. Take a video of the car before booking to check the condition of the car. Also, after using a car take a video to make sure that the car is in a good condition.
- Always keep the maps handy to navigate difficult routes. You may find the network weak near the coast. Use Google maps offline to navigate the roads.
- It is better to rent a car with a driver as they will also act as a local guide and you will not have to figure out road routes on your own. Plus, you will be able to enjoy scenic views and make fun-filled moments with your family. You will have ample time to rejuvenate yourself during the journey as there will be stops for refreshments and relaxation during the journey.
- If you are a solo traveler who has rented a car with a driver then ensure that the GPS tracking is active for safety.
- Always keep the emergency contact number of the tourism board and Car rental agency for safety.
- Always choose the right vehicle for travel. If you are a large group, family with kids then it is better to opt for Innova or Tempo Traveller. If You are a solo traveller or small family then Sedan or SUVis perfect to travel.
Final Words
Travelers can select their preferred mode of transport from many accessible options to reach Somnath according to their specific needs. Travelers have the freedom to explore Somnath through road trips, train rides or by flying from any point of the city due to good connectivity. We hope that this post has helped solve your doubts regarding transport options. If you have any other doubts, feel free to ask us in the comment section.
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