Photo spot in Somnath
Somnath Temple
Somnath, Gujarat
The first Jyotirlinga — a grand Chalukya-style temple rising right on the Arabian Sea, rebuilt many times through history, with an evening sound-and-light show (not in the monsoon).
Best time
Sunset, when warm light falls on the temple and the sea; blue hour, once the temple lights come on.
Best angle
Walk down to Somnath Beach or onto the seafront walkway and take a wide photo of the temple with the waves and the sea wall in the foreground.
Entry fee
Free (no phones inside)
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (aarti 7 AM, noon and 7 PM)
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Somnath Temple
Sunset, when warm light falls on the temple and the sea; blue hour, once the temple lights come on. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Somnath Temple
Walk down to Somnath Beach or onto the seafront walkway and take a wide photo of the temple with the waves and the sea wall in the foreground. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the seaside temple
On the shore-side promenade
Outfit guide
What to wear at Somnath Temple
For photos at Somnath Temple, saffron, white and gold work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Somnath Temple.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Somnath.
Eat nearby
Food near Somnath Temple
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for gujarati thali nearby.
Special dishes to try
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Leave your phone, camera and smartwatch at the cloakroom near the entrance, as they are not allowed inside.
Take your photos of the temple from Somnath Beach or the seafront walkway before you deposit your phone.
Arrive early for the 7 pm aarti, the most popular of the day.
Stay for the Jay Somnath light-and-sound show after the evening aarti, but note that it does not run in the monsoon.
Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, as mini skirts and revealing clothes are not allowed.
Visit soon after opening on a weekday for the shortest queues, as Mondays and festival days are the busiest.
Walk next door to the Ahilyabai Temple, built in 1783 when the main temple lay in ruins.
About Somnath Temple
Somnath Temple stands on the shore of the Arabian Sea at Prabhas Patan and is revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest shrines of Shiva. Legend says the Moon God, Soma, prayed to Shiva here to be freed from a curse, which gives the temple its name: Lord of the Moon. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, most famously after Mahmud of Ghazni's raid in 1026. Sardar Patel ordered its rebuilding in November 1947, and the present temple was consecrated on 11 May 1951.
Built by Gujarat's traditional Sompura temple builders in the Chaulukya (Solanki) style, the temple has a tall carved spire topped by a flagpole. On its sea side, the Baan Stambh, or arrow pillar, marks that there is no land in a straight line between this shore and the South Pole. Aarti is held at about 7 am, noon and 7 pm, and the Jay Somnath light-and-sound show usually follows at 8 pm, except during the monsoon. Phones and cameras must be left at the cloakroom before you go in.
Questions
Somnath Temple — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Somnath Temple?
Sunset, when warm light falls on the temple and the sea; blue hour, once the temple lights come on. Walk down to Somnath Beach or onto the seafront walkway and take a wide photo of the temple with the waves and the sea wall in the foreground.
Is there an entry fee at Somnath Temple?
Entry to Somnath Temple is free (no phones inside).
What are the opening hours of Somnath Temple?
Somnath Temple is open 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (aarti 7 AM, noon and 7 PM).
What should I wear at Somnath Temple?
Saffron, white and gold photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Somnath Temple get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: sunset, when warm light falls on the temple and the sea; blue hour, once the temple lights come on.
What food should I try near Somnath Temple?
Try gujarati thali at spots close by.
What is Somnath Temple famous for?
Somnath Temple is famous as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva and for its setting right on the Arabian Sea. It is also known for being destroyed and rebuilt many times, with the present temple consecrated in 1951.
Can I take my phone into Somnath Temple?
No. Phones, cameras, smartwatches and other electronic devices are not allowed inside, and photography is prohibited in the temple. Leave them in the lockers at the cloakroom near the entrance before the security check.
How much time do I need at Somnath Temple?
Allow 1–2 hours for darshan, the security check and a walk around the complex. For the evening, plan about three hours to watch the sunset from the beach, join the 7 pm aarti and stay for the light-and-sound show.
What is the light-and-sound show at Somnath Temple?
The Jay Somnath show tells the story of the temple and its many rebuildings with lights and 3D projections on the temple, narrated in the voice of Amitabh Bachchan. It usually runs from 8 pm to 9 pm, does not run during the monsoon, and needs a ticket.