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Should You Visit Somnath or Dwarka First?

Either order works seamlessly from a spiritual standpoint; your choice should be decided entirely by your arrival city and transit logistics to avoid unnecessary backtracking. If arriving via Ahmedabad, Rajkot, or Jamnagar in the morning, starting with Dwarka first is the most popular route because highway connectivity is fast (NH 27 & NH 151) and allows you to complete Dwarkadhish, Bet Dwarka, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga on days 1 and 2 before heading south along the scenic coastal highway via Porbandar to Somnath. Conversely, if you fly into Diu Airport, land at Keshod, or arrive by train at Veraval, starting with Somnath first is the ideal logistical choice, allowing you to attend the evening Somnath Sound & Light show on your arrival night before traveling north to Dwarka.

Distance & modes

ModeDistanceTimeNotes
Via Rajkot (Dwarka First)225 km to Dwarka, 230 km to Somnath4.5 hrs + 4.5 hrs driveBest when landing at Rajkot Hirasar Airport early morning.
Via Ahmedabad (Linear Circuit)440 km to Dwarka, 410 km to Somnath8.5 hrs + 7.5 hrs driveStandard clockwise route: Ahmedabad -> Dwarka -> Porbandar -> Somnath -> Ahmedabad.
Via Jamnagar (Dwarka First)135 km to Dwarka, 230 km to Somnath2.5 hrs to DwarkaShortest day-1 drive; ideal for families with young children or elders.
Via Diu Airport (Somnath First)85 km to Somnath, 230 km to Dwarka2 hrs to SomnathFastest entry to Somnath Jyotirlinga; eliminates long road journeys.
Via Keshod Airport (Somnath First)45 km to Somnath, 230 km to Dwarka1 hr to SomnathNearest operational regional airport to Somnath Temple.
Awaiting confirmation — treat as indicative only

Sample itinerary

Day1
Arrival & Dwarka Darshan
Full Day|Arrival

Arrive at Rajkot/Jamnagar, transfer to Dwarka. Afternoon check-in and evening Darshan & Aarti at the holy Dwarkadhish Temple. Sunset at Gomti Ghat.

Day2
Bet Dwarka & Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Full Day|Temple Visits

Early morning visit to Bet Dwarka via Sudarshan Setu bridge, followed by Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Darshan, Gopi Talav, and Rukmini Devi Temple.

Day3
Dwarka to Somnath via Porbandar
Full Day|Temple Visits

Scenic coastal drive via National Highway 51. Stop at Porbandar for Kirti Mandir (Mahatma Gandhi birthplace) and Sudama Temple. Check-in at Somnath, attend evening Sandhya Aarti and Light & Sound show.

Day4
Somnath Darshan & Departure
Full Day|Departure

Morning darshan at Somnath Mahadev, visit Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Tirth, and Gita Mandir before departure to Rajkot or Ahmedabad airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

Is there any religious rule about which temple to visit first?
No. In Hindu tradition and the Skanda Purana, both Somnath (the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas) and Dwarkadhish (one of the four supreme Char Dhams) hold paramount spiritual sanctity. There is no scriptural requirement stipulating which shrine must precede the other; pilgrims routinely complete the circuit in either direction based on convenience.
Which route has less driving fatigue: Dwarka first or Somnath first?
If entering Gujarat via Jamnagar, Dwarka first involves only 2.5 hours of driving on Day 1. If entering via Diu, Somnath first involves under 2 hours of driving. If starting from Ahmedabad, both directions require an initial long highway stretch (~7.5 to 8.5 hours), but starting at Dwarka allows you to travel in a clockwise loop without repeating highway segments.
How is the road condition between Dwarka and Somnath?
The coastal stretch between Dwarka and Somnath along NH 51 is a well-paved four-lane highway passing through Porbandar and Madhavpur Beach, offering smooth driving with travel times of approximately 4.5 to 5 hours for the 230 km distance.
Can we add Sasan Gir Safari if we start with Somnath?
Yes. Sasan Gir is located only 45 km (1 hour drive) inland from Somnath. Starting with Somnath makes it very convenient to complete Gir lion safari early in the itinerary before continuing north towards Dwarka.
What are the key aarti timings to keep in mind when deciding the start point?
At Somnath Temple, the evening Sandhya Aarti at 7:00 PM followed by the 8:00 PM Sound & Light Show is a primary highlight. At Dwarkadhish Temple, the Mangla Aarti at 6:30 AM and Shringaar Aarti at 10:30 AM are unmissable. Plan your arrival so you spend a full evening at both temple towns.
Is it easy to find pure vegetarian food and dharamsalas in both towns?
Yes, both Dwarka and Somnath are strictly vegetarian holy towns offering extensive Gujarati thali dining, Kathiyawadi cuisine, North/South Indian restaurants, and well-maintained trust dharamsalas (such as Sagar Darshan at Somnath and Kokila Dhirubhai Ambani Bhavan in Dwarka).
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