Somnath Temple Timings 2026: Darshan Hours, Aarti & Temple Rules

I was born in Dwarka and I have guided pilgrims across the Somnath and Dwarka circuit for over eight years. Below is the temple schedule exactly as the Shree Somnath Trust publishes it, along with the entry rules that catch most first-time visitors off guard. If you would rather have the whole trip arranged for you, our Somnath Dwarka Tour Package from Experience My India sequences every darshan and aarti for you, so this guide doubles as the planning notes behind those tours.

Somnath Temple timings at a glance

What time does Somnath Temple open and close?

Somnath Temple opens for darshan at 6:00 AM and stays open until 10:00 PM every day, as listed by the Shree Somnath Trust. You will find many websites quoting a 9:00 PM or 9:30 PM close, but that is outdated. The Trust's own schedule says 10:00 PM. If you want an unhurried darshan of the Jyotirlinga rather than a late-evening rush, aim to be inside well before closing.

Somnath aarti timings

There are three aartis a day and only three: 7:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:00 PM. If a page tells you there is a fourth aarti at 8:00 PM, it has confused the aarti with the light-and-sound show, which is a separate event. The morning aarti gives the calmest darshan of the day, while the 7:00 PM evening aarti is the most striking, with the temple lit against the Arabian Sea. For a slot-by-slot breakdown of each ritual, see the full Somnath aarti schedule.

What time is the Somnath light-and-sound show?

The “Jay Somnath” light-and-sound show runs from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily and is paused during the monsoon or rainy season. A nominal ticket fee applies; confirm the current rate at the venue counter, since the Trust does not publish a fixed figure online. If you cannot travel in person, you can also watch Somnath live darshan online through the official feed.

Is there an entry fee for Somnath Temple?

No. Entry and darshan of the main Jyotirlinga are completely free. You do not need a ticket for the primary darshan. The only things you may pay for are the light-and-sound show and any special pooja or prasad you choose to book.

Can I carry my phone inside Somnath Temple?

No and this is the rule that trips up almost everyone. All electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the temple, including mobiles, cameras, smartwatches and tablets and photography is banned inside. A free cloak room next to the shoe house holds your gadgets in a locker at no charge. Deposit your phone and smartwatch before you join the darshan queue rather than at the gate and you will walk straight in without having to double back.

Dress code and temple rules

Somnath asks for decent, respectful clothing. Sarees, dhotis, trousers, t-shirts and skirts are all fine; mini-skirts and disrespectful dress are not permitted and smoking is banned anywhere near the temple. Footwear is removed before entering and a free shoe house sits next to the cloak room.

Best time to visit Somnath for an easy darshan

For the quietest darshan, arrive for the 6:00 AM opening or the 7:00 AM morning aarti. Crowds build on Mondays, through the month of Shravan and around Maha Shivratri and Kartik Purnima, when timings can also change. At Experience My India we track how busy each week runs in our Somnath Dwarka crowd calendar and you can cross-check festival dates on the festival calendar before you lock your travel days.

How to reach Somnath

By train

Somnath has its own railway station just 0.5 km from the temple and Veraval junction is about 7 km away with frequent connections across Gujarat.

By air

The nearest airports are Diu (85 km), Rajkot (200 km) and Ahmedabad (390 km), each connected onward by road.

By road

Somnath is well linked by road from Rajkot, Junagadh, Ahmedabad and Diu. For a fixed-fare, verified-route ride we arrange a private cab with a local driver. Most pilgrims pair Somnath with Dwarka, roughly 230 km away; see the Dwarka to Somnath distance and route to plan the drive and check Dwarkadhish temple timings so both darshans fall into place.

Planning your Somnath darshan

On an Experience My India darshan day, the plan I follow is simple: reach the gate by 6:00 AM, deposit phone and shoes straight away and take the calm morning darshan before the 7:00 AM aarti fills the hall. The Trust runs a Tirth Darshan bus from the main gate at 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM for a nominal charge to nearby shrines such as Bhalka Tirth and Triveni Sangam. Rest through the afternoon heat, then return for the 7:00 PM evening aarti and stay on for the 8:00 PM show. If you only have a single day, a one-day Somnath tour fits this rhythm neatly and travellers with elders may prefer a senior-citizen-friendly itinerary with a gentler pace and wheelchair help at the gate.

Plan your Somnath darshan with Experience My India

Tell us your dates and we will line up your timings so nothing clashes and nothing is missed. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 73006 20809 or call +91 73006 20809. For more on the town, its temples and the wider circuit, read our full Somnath travel guide.