Plan your trip · Somnath
Best time to visit Somnath
The best time to visit Somnath is from October to March, when the monsoon is over and the days are dry. December to February is the most comfortable stretch, with warm days, cool evenings by the sea and clear skies for sunset.
Somnath is on the coast, so it rarely gets as hot as inland Gujarat, but it is humid for much of the year. April to June is hot and sticky, and the monsoon, from mid-June to September, brings heavy rain, rough seas and a break in the evening light-and-sound show. Festivals such as Shravan, Mahashivratri and the Kartik Purnima fair bring the biggest crowds of the year.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Mar
Hot in October and November, then warm days and cool, breezy evenings from December to February — the most comfortable months, with the calmest sea.
Pack: light clothes by day and a light jacket or shawl for the windy evenings by the sea.
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
Apr – Jun
Hot and humid, though the sea breeze keeps it in the low-to-mid 30s °C — easier than inland Gujarat, if sticky.
Pack: light cottons, a hat and sunscreen.
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jul – Sep
Moderate rain, mostly in July and August, and a rough, windy sea that is off-limits for bathing — boats can stop running.
Pack: a compact umbrella or light rain jacket and sandals that can get wet.
Plan a monsoon day →Best Month to Visit Somnath
October and November
The rain has stopped, but October and November are still hot by day, often around 34 °C. The light-and-sound show usually restarts after the monsoon, and the Kartik Purnima fair in November is one of the busiest times of the year. Gir National Park reopens for safaris on 16 October.
December to February
These are the most comfortable months, with days around 30 °C and nights of about 15–17 °C. Skies are usually clear and the sea is calmer, which makes this the best time for sunset photos and day trips to Gir and Diu. It is also peak season, so book rooms early, especially over Christmas and New Year.
March to June
March is warm, and from April to June the weather is hot and humid, with days around 33 °C that feel hotter in the damp air. Visit the temple early in the morning and the beach after about 5 pm. Gir closes for the monsoon on 16 June.
July to September
The monsoon brings most of the year's rain, with the heaviest showers in July and August. The sea is at its roughest, so stay well back from the water. The light-and-sound show does not run in the rainy season, but the holy month of Shravan still brings large crowds of pilgrims to the temple.
When Is Somnath Most Crowded?
Somnath is busiest during Shravan (between late July and mid-September, depending on the year), on Mahashivratri (February or March) and during the five-day Kartik Purnima fair in November. Weekends, Diwali and the winter holidays are also busy, and Mondays, Shiva's day, draw more pilgrims than other weekdays all year.
For a quieter visit, go on a weekday between December and February and reach the temple soon after it opens. See events and festivals in Somnath to plan around the busiest dates.
Questions
Somnath — FAQ
What is the best month to visit Somnath?
December to February is the best time for comfortable weather, with days around 30 °C and cool evenings. October, November and March are also dry but warmer.
Is Somnath very hot in summer?
Somnath is hot and humid from April to June. Days are usually around 33 °C, the damp air makes them feel hotter, and hot spells can push the temperature above 40 °C. Visit the temple early and the beach in the evening, and drink plenty of water.
Is it worth visiting Somnath in the monsoon?
It can be, if you do not mind rain. The countryside turns green, the sea is dramatic and the temple stays open. But the heaviest rain falls in July and August, the sea is too rough to go near the water, the light-and-sound show does not run and Gir is closed to safaris.
When is the best time to visit Somnath and Gir together?
Go between mid-October and March, when Gir National Park is open for safaris and the weather in Somnath is dry. December to February is the most comfortable. Gir is closed to safaris from 16 June to 15 October.