Dwarka to Somnath: 236 km Between India's Two Most Sacred Jyotirlinga Cities
Dwarka to Somnath is 236 km by road, a 4 to 4.5 hour drive via NH947 and NH27. There is no ferry between them despite both being on the Arabian Sea coast. Leave Dwarka by 12:30 PM after Rajbhog darshan and reach Somnath in time for the Sandhya Aarti.
The Road Route: NH947 to NH27
The 236 km road from Dwarka to Somnath follows a clear route: exit Dwarka south on NH947, which runs along the Saurashtra coast past Nageshwar, through Mithapur and Bhanvad, then joins NH27 at a junction after Jamnagar district. NH27 carries you through the interior of Saurashtra, past Upleta, Gondal and toward Junagadh district, before the road turns south and reaches Somnath via Veraval. The final approach into Somnath town is clearly signposted.
Road quality on both highways is generally good. NH947, the coastal section from Dwarka, was upgraded in recent years and is smooth for most of its length. A few stretches near Bhanvad have ongoing widening work at times, which can cause 15-30 minute delays. NH27 is a major national highway and well-maintained. The total drive of 236 km takes 4 to 4.5 hours in a private car at normal speeds, assuming no significant traffic or road work delays.
The route passes through Porbandar at approximately the 108 km mark, exactly halfway by distance though not by travel time. Porbandar sits on the coast and the road dips toward the sea before climbing back inland toward Somnath. Beyond Porbandar, the road passes through Una and then Veraval, which is the nearest town to Somnath (6 km away). Bhalka Tirth, the spot identified in the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana as where Lord Krishna was struck by an arrow and attained Maha Samadhi, is located 6 km before Somnath on this approach road. Many pilgrims stop here briefly before entering Somnath town.
By Car or Taxi
A private car or hired taxi is by far the most practical and comfortable way to travel from Dwarka to Somnath. Taxi services in Dwarka operate from the main taxi stand near the bus stand, approximately 500 metres from the railway station. Most drivers are experienced with the Somnath route and quote a one-way fare of ₹2,500 to ₹3,500 for the full vehicle (5 passengers with luggage). Round-trip or drop-and-return arrangements can also be made, ask at your hotel or contact a Dwarka taxi aggregator the evening before your travel day.
Many pilgrims who arrive in Dwarka by train hire a taxi for a 2-3 day circuit, Dwarka to Bet Dwarka and Nageshwar on day one, then proceed to Somnath on day two. This arrangement is common and taxi drivers who specialize in pilgrimage circuits know all the temple timings and stop durations. Agree on a clear itinerary and total rate (not per km) before departure. Rates fluctuate by season, peak months (October through February) see higher quoted rates due to demand.
For pilgrims using ride-hailing apps: Ola and Uber have limited presence in Dwarka itself. Outstation cabs through these apps can be booked from Ahmedabad, Rajkot or Jamnagar but are not reliably available for Dwarka-Somnath intercity directly. Local taxi numbers obtained from your hotel or the station pre-paid counter are more reliable.
By GSRTC Bus
GSRTC (Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation) operates bus services connecting Dwarka to Somnath, though direct services are limited. Most routes require a change at Porbandar or Junagadh. The journey by state bus takes approximately 5-6 hours for a direct service or 6-7 hours with a change. Fares are ₹200-350 per person for ordinary or semi-express services. Private bus operators also run on this route with AC options for ₹400-600.
The GSRTC Dwarka bus stand is about 600 metres from the railway station. Bus timings change seasonally and it is always advisable to check the current schedule directly at the bus stand the evening before or book online via GSRTC's website. Early morning departures (6-8 AM) are most common for the Somnath direction. A 7 AM bus reaching Somnath by 1-2 PM gives you a full afternoon at Somnath Temple before the evening aarti, this works well if you have already completed your Dwarka darshan the previous day and are departing the city.
The bus journey passes through the same road as private taxis, NH947 to NH27. Bus stops for a break at Porbandar (roughly 2 hours into the journey) where the conductor announces a 15-20 minute halt. This is a good opportunity to use facilities and buy snacks. Carry water for the full journey as the bus may not make additional stops on demand.
By Train, No Direct Service
There is no direct train between Dwarka and Somnath. This surprises many pilgrims planning a Jyotirlinga yatra who expect the two sacred cities to have a rail link. They do not. Dwarka (station code DWK) is on the Rajkot-Okha broad gauge line. Somnath (station code SMNH) is on the Rajkot-Veraval line. These are two different branch lines that diverge at Rajkot and do not connect directly at their far ends.
To travel from Dwarka to Somnath by train, the options are: Dwarka to Rajkot by train (several daily services, approximately 3 hours), then Rajkot to Veraval by train (several daily services, approximately 3 hours), then Veraval to Somnath by auto or bus (6 km, 15 minutes, ₹40-80). Total rail journey: approximately 6-7 hours plus connections and waiting time. The total door-to-door time is typically 8-10 hours, making the train significantly slower than road for this route unless you are specifically avoiding road travel or catching an overnight train.
An alternative rail route is Dwarka to Junagadh via Rajkot, then onward to Somnath by road, but this does not meaningfully reduce the journey complexity. For pilgrims committed to train travel for the Dwarka-Somnath leg, book well in advance (especially Rajkot to Veraval trains fill up in peak season) and budget a full day for the journey.
No Ferry: Clarifying a Common Misconception
A significant number of pilgrims and travellers arrive in Dwarka having read or heard that a ferry connects Dwarka to Somnath. This is incorrect. No ferry service exists between Dwarka and Somnath, and none has existed in recent history. Both cities are on the Arabian Sea coastline of Gujarat, but the coast between them is not served by passenger ferry. The only ferry in the Dwarka region is the Okha to Bet Dwarka ferry, which covers 3.5 km across a sheltered channel and is entirely separate from any Somnath route.
The geographic situation explains why a ferry is impractical: the distance between Dwarka and Somnath is 236 km by road, but the direct sea distance is not dramatically shorter, and the Arabian Sea in this region, particularly during monsoon (June to September), has conditions that make regular passenger ferry service along an open coastline operationally difficult. No commercial or government operator has proposed or operated such a route. Do not let any travel operator tell you otherwise.
The practical takeaway: book your road transport (car, bus) or plan your rail connections well in advance. Do not build ferry travel into any itinerary between Dwarka and Somnath. Road is the fastest, most comfortable and most flexible option for this journey.
Porbandar Stopover and the Recommended Departure Plan
Porbandar, birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, lies 108 km from Dwarka, almost exactly halfway to Somnath. If you are travelling by private car, a 45-60 minute stop here is entirely feasible without arriving late at Somnath. The Kirti Mandir, the museum built at Gandhi's birthplace, is a short visit of 30-45 minutes. Porbandar town also has a small beach (Chowpati) and a few temple sites including Sudama Mandir, said to mark where Krishna's childhood friend Sudama lived. For pilgrims interested in the full Saurashtra sacred circuit, Porbandar adds a meaningful dimension to the Dwarka-Somnath drive.
The recommended departure plan for a Dwarka-Somnath journey: attend the Rajbhog darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple (noon, temple closes at 1 PM for the midday break). Leave Dwarka at 12:30 PM. Drive to Porbandar (2 hours), arrive at 2:30 PM. Lunch at Porbandar (many good vegetarian restaurants in the town centre). Brief visit to Kirti Mandir or Sudama Mandir. Depart Porbandar by 4 PM. Drive to Somnath (156 km, approximately 2.5-3 hours depending on traffic near Veraval). Arrive Somnath by 6:30-7 PM. The Sandhya Aarti at Somnath Temple occurs at sunset and is followed by the Jai Somnath Light and Sound show at 8 PM. This timeline gets you to Somnath for one of the finest experiences the temple offers.
Bhalka Tirth, 6 km before Somnath on the Veraval approach road, is worth a brief halt. This small temple marks the spot where, according to the Mahabharata and the Bhagavata Purana, a hunter named Jara mistook Krishna's foot for a deer and struck it with an arrow, leading to Krishna's departure from the mortal world. The site is simple and quiet, a moment of reflection before entering the more crowded pilgrimage town of Somnath.
Frequently Asked Questions
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