Gujarat Pilgrimage 230 km Route Two Jyotirlingas Complete Guide

Dwarka to Somnath: Complete Pilgrimage Route Guide

Dwarka and Somnath are two of India's most sacred pilgrimage sites, both on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat, approximately 230 km apart. Dwarka is the western Char Dham and home of Lord Krishna. Somnath is the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Combining both in a single pilgrimage is one of the most spiritually complete journeys in India.

Distance ~230 km by road
Drive Time 3.5–4 hours
Via Porbandar (NH 927)
Somnath Entry Free
Somnath Opens 6:00 AM
Sound & Light Show 7:45 PM daily
230 km Dwarka to Somnath
2 Jyotirlingas on This Route (Nageshwar + Somnath)
17 Times Somnath Rebuilt
4 Days Ideal Combined Trip

Why Visit Both Dwarka and Somnath

Dwarka is the dhaam of Lord Krishna, the city he built on the sea, ruled as king, and where his story in mortal form took place. Somnath is the sacred site where Krishna's mortal life ended: at Bhalka Teerth, 6 km from Somnath, Krishna departed from his earthly body. Together, Dwarka and Somnath form a complete Krishna pilgrimage, beginning and end of his earthly story, for devotees of Lord Krishna, not just Shiva.

Beyond the Krishna connection, both cities are supreme Hindu pilgrimage sites in their own right. Dwarka is one of the four Char Dhams and one of the Sapta Puri. Somnath is Jyotirlinga number one among the 12 sacred Shiva shrines. The route between them also passes through Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (17 km from Dwarka), making it possible to visit 2 of the 12 Jyotirlingas on a single journey.

The Saurashtra coastal route via Porbandar is scenic and historically rich. Porbandar is the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Madhavpur Ghat, between Porbandar and Somnath, is the legendary marriage site of Krishna and Rukmini. The drive itself is a pilgrimage of culture and history.

Route Options: Dwarka to Somnath

Via Porbandar (Recommended)

NH 927 via Porbandar: 230 km, 3.5–4 hours. Passes Madhavpur. Best for sightseeing and comfort.

Via Rajkot (Faster but inland)

Dwarka → Rajkot (215 km) → Somnath (170 km): Total 385 km, 6 hours. Not recommended as it skips coastal sights and is much longer.

By Bus (GSRTC)

GSRTC runs Dwarka–Somnath route via Porbandar. Journey 5–6 hours. Cheapest option, approx Rs 250–350 per person. Good for budget pilgrims.

Somnath Temple: What to Know

  • Location Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Gir Somnath district, Gujarat
  • Jyotirlinga First of the 12 Jyotirlingas
  • Timings 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily
  • Aarti Times 6:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 7:00 PM
  • Entry Fee Free (camera allowed, mobile inside restricted)
  • Sound & Light Show 7:45 PM daily, Rs 100 per person

Key Stops on the Dwarka–Somnath Route

  1. 1
    Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (17 km from Dwarka)

    10th of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The giant Shiva statue here is visible from the highway. Add 2 hours for darshan.

  2. 2
    Porbandar (107 km from Dwarka)

    Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Kirti Mandir (Gandhi ancestral home) and Sudama Mandir (dedicated to Krishna's childhood friend Sudama). Allow 2–3 hours.

  3. 3
    Madhavpur Ghat (45 km after Porbandar)

    Legendary site of Krishna and Rukmini's marriage. Small temple on the beach. Quick 30-minute stop.

  4. 4
    Veraval Fish Market (5 km before Somnath)

    India's largest fishing port. Not spiritually significant but culturally fascinating. Quick visual stop for photography only.

  5. 5
    Bhalka Teerth (6 km from Somnath)

    Where Krishna departed his mortal form. Small sacred forest temple. Essential for devotees completing the Krishna circuit.

4-Day Itinerary: Dwarka + Somnath

  1. 1
    Day 1 (Arrive Dwarka)

    Evening check-in. Sunset aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple (7:00–7:30 PM). Gomti Ghat walk. Overnight in Dwarka.

  2. 2
    Day 2 (Dwarka Circuit)

    Morning: Mangala Aarti (6:30 AM), Rukmini Devi Temple, Gomti Ghat dip, Sudama Setu, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev (sunset). Overnight Dwarka.

  3. 3
    Day 3 (Bet Dwarka + Drive to Somnath)

    Early morning: Okha ferry to Bet Dwarka. Return by 1 PM. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Drive to Somnath via Porbandar (stops at Kirti Mandir). Arrive Somnath evening, Sound and Light Show at 7:45 PM. Overnight Somnath.

  4. 4
    Day 4 (Somnath Darshan + Depart)

    Mangala Aarti at Somnath 6:00 AM. Bhalka Teerth. Depart to Rajkot (180 km) or Ahmedabad (420 km).

Travel Tips for Dwarka–Somnath Route

  • Best Mode Private taxi Rs 2,500–3,500 for the most flexibility
  • Shared Cab Available at Dwarka bus stand, split cost with other pilgrims
  • Train No direct; road is much easier for this route
  • Accommodation Somnath has good GTDC and private hotels within 1 km of the temple
  • Mobile Network Patchy between Porbandar and Somnath; download maps offline
  • Best Season October to March; avoid monsoon (July–September) when seas are rough

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Dwarka to Somnath?
The distance from Dwarka to Somnath is approximately 230 km by road via NH 927 through Porbandar. The drive takes approximately 3.5 to 4 hours without major stops. The most scenic route goes via Porbandar (birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi), approximately 107 km from Dwarka, and then onwards to Somnath (another 123 km). A direct taxi from Dwarka to Somnath costs approximately Rs 2,500–3,500.
Is there a direct train from Dwarka to Somnath?
There is no direct train from Dwarka to Somnath. The two cities are on separate rail lines. From Dwarka station (DWAR), you would travel to Rajkot or Ahmedabad and then to Veraval (nearest station to Somnath). This makes road travel (taxi or bus) the most practical option. GSRTC buses also run on the Dwarka–Porbandar–Somnath route.
What are Somnath Temple timings?
Somnath Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM daily. The three daily aartis are: Mangala Aarti at 6:00 AM, Madhyanha Aarti at 12:00 PM, and Sandhya Aarti at 7:00 PM. The famous Sound and Light show (Jai Somnath) runs at 7:45 PM daily in the temple complex and gives the historical context of Somnath's destruction and reconstruction. Entry to the temple is free.
What is the significance of Somnath Temple?
Somnath Temple in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, is the first and foremost of the 12 Jyotirlingas, the most sacred shrines of Lord Shiva in Hinduism. Somnath is called "the shrine that is eternal", it has been destroyed and rebuilt 17 times through history, most notably by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE, and most recently reconstructed in 1951 under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The current temple stands directly on the Arabian Sea coast.
Can I visit both Dwarka and Somnath in 4 days?
Yes, a 4-day trip comfortably covers both. Day 1: Arrive Dwarka, evening aarti. Day 2: Dwarka inner circuit (main temple, Rukmini Devi, Gomti Ghat). Day 3: Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, then drive to Somnath (evening arrival). Day 4: Somnath Temple morning darshan, Sound and Light show evening, depart. This schedule can be extended to 5 days by adding Gopi Talav and Porbandar (Gandhi Birthplace).
What are places to visit between Dwarka and Somnath?
Key stops between Dwarka and Somnath include: Porbandar (107 km from Dwarka), birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi; Kirti Mandir (Gandhi's ancestral home) and Sudama Mandir are must-visits. Madhavpur Ghat (45 km from Porbandar), where Krishna married Rukmini, celebrated with a 5-day fair every year. Veraval fishing port (5 km before Somnath), one of India's largest fishing ports, interesting for photography.
Is Bhalka Teerth near Somnath worth visiting?
Yes, Bhalka Teerth is 6 km from Somnath and is one of the most significant sites in the Krishna pilgrimage. It is the spot where a hunter named Jara accidentally shot an arrow at Krishna's foot, mistaking it for a bird, leading to Krishna's departure from his mortal form. There is a small but deeply sacred temple here. For devotees completing the Dwarka–Somnath circuit, Bhalka Teerth makes the pilgrimage spiritually complete as it connects Dwarka (Krishna's kingdom) with the place of his departure.

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