Somnath is a town located on the South Western side of Gujarat. This place is situated in the Gir Somnath District. Somnath is famous for the confluence of 3 rivers and in Sanskrit, a confluence of 3 rivers is referred to as Triveni Sangam. The Ghat which oversees this confluence is called the Triveni Ghat.
The 3 rivers which meet at this confluence are Hiran, Kapil, and a mythical River Saraswathy. This place is very sacred for Hindus as it is believed that the rivers flow into the ultimate destination towards the sea. The Hindus believe that this confluence symbolizes birth, life, and death. It is said that if you take a bath in this confluence then all our sins will be washed away and you will be pardoned from rebirth.
The Triveni Ghat has also been mentioned in the holy scriptures of Ramayan, Mahabharata, and Puranas. According to legends, this ghat was visited by Lord Krishna when he was shot with an arrow by a hunter named Jara.
The famous Somnath Temple is located in this town. This temple is believed to be one of the 12 shrines of Shiva. This temple sees flocks of pilgrims visiting every year because of its rich history and religious beliefs. The temple was reconstructed numerous times after being destructed by many Muslim invaders. The reconstruction of the temple was started by Vallabhbhai Patel, the Home Minister of India and was completed in 1951 after his death.
Somnath is located on the Western side of Gujarat and can be reached via air, railways, and road.
The closest airport to Somnath is located in Diu which is approx 65 Km away. The Diu airport is not a commercial airport and serves as a civilian aerodrome. Since this airport is not that big, only a few domestic planes operate here. The closest international airport is located in Ahmedabad. From the airport, you can hire taxis, cabs or even buses to Somnath.
The Veraval Railway station is the closest train station to Somnath. It is only 5 Km away from this place and is well connected with major cities in India like Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Many trains ply on this route, so reaching here by train is not a big deal. You will get taxis or cabs to reach Somnath.
There are an ample number of options if you plan to travel to Somnath by road. There are Air-conditioned as well as non-air conditioned buses available from major places like Diu, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, and Porbandar.
If you are planning to visit Somnath, then visit the place when the weather is more favorable. Here are a few seasons which Somnath experiences
The duration of this season is from March to June. During this time the temperature varies from 24°C to 41°C and one should avoid visiting this place at the time. If it’s for a religious purpose then you can visit, but if it is for sightseeing purposes, then we recommend not to visit this place during this time.
Somnath experiences Monsoon from July to September. During this time of the year, the weather becomes pleasant but it is accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds. The tourist inflow is low during this time, and you will get affordable deals due to offseason.
Somnath experiences winter from November to February. This time the temperature varies from 10°C to 32°C, which is perfect for traveling. If you are visiting Somnath for sightseeing, then this is the best time to visit.
Somnath Triveni Sangam is a famous pilgrimage place and pilgrims from all over India visit this place during the peak season of festivals. Few festivals which are celebrated with full grandeur are-
This festival is held in the autumn season every year and it consists of 9 nights and 10 days of celebration. The Navratri festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her 9 different forms. You can dance to the sonorous music of Lord Krishna in the dance form that’s known as Garba. If you plan your trip to this place, try to align it with Navratri to make the most of it.
This festival is held during the month of March and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This festival signifies the “overcoming of ignorance and darkness.” The festival is celebrated by reciting prayers to Shiva with fasting and meditating.
This festival is celebrated during November or December. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs.
The festival of colors marks as one of the most important festivals and is celebrated in the month of March. In Somnath, the festival is celebrated in its full vibrancy. You can visit the Triveni Sangam and enjoy the colorful decor of this place.
The festival of lights is celebrated in October or November, which is known for its extravagance. During this occasion of luminescence, the Triveni Sangam lightens up with this festival. You can visit Somnath during this time and experience the aura of this festival.
Somnath experiences a variety of weather throughout the year. Therefore, you need to carry clothes depending on which season you are planning to visit this place.
Make sure to carry light cotton fabric material during this season, as summer in Somnath is hot and humid. Also, carry sunglasses and sunscreen, because the heat is tremendous and there are possibilities of getting tanned as well.
Make sure to carry an umbrella, raincoat and if possible a windcheater. Due to strong winds during this time of the year, a windcheater will be able to protect you. This season also experiences heavy rainfalls, therefore, it is a must to carry umbrellas. Also, carry an extra set of clothes in case you get wet in the rain.
Then do not forget to carry warm clothes. Somnath experiences mild temperatures during this time of year. At night the temperature might drop to 10 degrees, so it is safe to carry a few warm clothes
There are numerous tourist attractions near Triveni Sangam. If you are visiting this place, you can plan to include these sightseeing spots in your itinerary.
As discussed earlier, Somnath Temple is one of the most famous pilgrim spots in Triveni Sangam. The temple is located on the confluence and it has a lot of history related to it. Visiting this place during the festive season can be a divine and spiritual experience.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee as such. But if you want to experience the light and sound show then you would need Rs. 25 for its tickets.
Timing: Darshan Time- 6 am to 9.30 pm, Arati Time- 7 am, 12 noon and 7 PM.
Besides the Somnath temple is the Somnath beach and it is a must for tourists to visit this beach after visiting the temple. Tourists can relax and unwind on this beach after a hectic day of sightseeing and traveling. Swimming is not recommended on this beach. You can enjoy the grilled corn and coconut available on this beach. Also, do not forget to take a camel’s ride on this beach.
You can also spot joggers during sunrise and sunset. Overall, this is a family-friendly beach.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee.
Timing: All time open.
This cave is situated in Lalghati, near Somnath. The cave is famous because it has a temple dedicated to Pandavas. Built in 1949 by Baba Narayandas, this temple also have shrines of Sita Ma, Shiva, Goddess Durga, and Lord Hanuman. It is believed that the Pandavas hid in these caves and Hingaj Mata appeared and vowed to give them protection. Tourists need to climb a hill to get to the temple and also enjoy the breathtaking views of the sunset and also spend some peaceful time alone.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee.
Timing: All time open.
Chorwad Beach in Somnath is a historical and a beautiful beach. Nawab of Junagadh’s palace was situated on this beach but now only it’s ruins remain, adding more beauty to the beach. This beach is a quiet and serene place for you to relax and unwind and is only 20 km from the Veraval Railway station.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee.
Timing: All time open.
This museum near Triveni Sangam was built in the early 1900s. This museum has relics and artifacts of the temples, idols, water from sacred rivers, inscriptions, etc. The items displayed in this museum have religious as well as archaeological importance and makes it a must-visit if you are all for history and archaeology.
Somnath is a holy place that is home to various temples, and beaches. This place has a rich history and if you are looking for a spiritual escapade, then this is just the place for you. Furthermore, you should at least visit this place once in your lifetime to get that opportunity to bathe in the Holy Confluence – Triveni Sangam.
Noida, with its vibrant culinary scene, offers a plethora of options for dessert lovers craving…
Embarking on a journey? Make your travels more convenient and enjoyable with the latest accessories…
As the temperature drops and the chilly winds start to blow, staying warm and healthy…
Travel photography is not just about capturing moments; it's about immortalising experiences, landscapes, and the…
Embarking on a solo adventure can be exhilarating, offering the freedom to explore new destinations…
Business travel often entails tight schedules and hectic itineraries, leaving little room for packing mishaps…