Somnath Jyotirlinga
సోమనాథ్
Lord Shiva as Someshwara · Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat
Somnath Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 sacred manifestations of Lord Shiva as a self-manifest pillar of light (jyoti-linga). Located in Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat.
Significance
The first Jyotirlinga. Believed to be eternally re-consecrated even after multiple destructions by foreign invaders. The temple is at the shore of the Arabian Sea.
Mythological Origin
Originally built by Chandra (Moon god) himself to atone for his curse from Daksha. Sage Vyasa described it in the Vishnu Purana.
About the 12 Jyotirlingas
The 12 Jyotirlingas are the holiest Shiva pilgrimage sites in India. Per the Shiva Mahapurana, when devotees compete to claim Lord Shiva's primacy, he manifested as an infinite pillar of light (jyoti-stambha) at 12 sacred locations. Devotees visiting all 12 in a single lifetime is one of the highest pilgrimages (Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Yatra). Reciting the 12-line Jyotirlinga Stotra ("Saurashtre Somanatham...") daily is said to grant the merit of physical pilgrimage to all 12.
Somnath at a glance
| Form of Shiva worshipped here | Lord Shiva as Someshwara |
|---|---|
| Telugu name of the shrine | సోమనాథ్ |
| Where | Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat |
| State | Gujarat |
| Order in the traditional list | 1 of 12 |
Somnath — frequently asked questions
Why is Somnath counted among the 12 Jyotirlingas?
Originally built by Chandra (Moon god) himself to atone for his curse from Daksha. Sage Vyasa described it in the Vishnu Purana. Somnath stands first in the traditional order this site follows, and the form worshipped here is Lord Shiva as Someshwara.
Where is Somnath and what should you know before travelling?
Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat. The shrine is written సోమనాథ్ in Telugu. Darshan timings, the aarti schedule, the queue and road access all change through the year and this site does not publish them — confirm those with the temple itself before you travel.
Which days are kept for Shiva at Somnath?
Monday is Shiva's day of the week, and the pradosha window on the trayodashi tithi of each fortnight, the month of Shravana and Maha Shivaratri are kept at every Jyotirlinga. None of that is particular to Somnath — the days to look for at this shrine are the ones the panchangam already marks for Shiva.
We do not publish darshan timings, ticket prices or queue lengths for Somnath — those change week to week and we have no way to verify them from here. What this site can settle is when: see the 12 Jyotirlinga circuit for the auspicious days ahead, Maha Shivaratri for the principal Shiva night of the year, or the daily panchangam for the tithi and Rahu Kalam on the date you are travelling.