Dwarka and Somnath Travel Guide: Best Time, Things to Do & Tips

Dwarka is Krishna’s legendary kingdom and Somnath the most famous Shiva temple on India’s west coast, rebuilt many times and standing right on the sea. They are about 230 km apart, so most families drive between them, stopping at Porbandar, Gandhi’s birthplace. Add Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Bet Dwarka from Dwarka, and Diu from Somnath.

Highlights

Dwarkadhish temple and the Gomti Ghat
Bet Dwarka island, now linked by the Sudarshan Setu bridge
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
Somnath temple and its evening light and sound show
Porbandar: Kirti Mandir, Gandhi’s birthplace
Gir National Park for Asiatic lions, a detour from Somnath

What to eat

Gujarati thali
Fafda-jalebi and khaman
Kathiyawadi food: sev tameta, bajra rotla

Where to stay

Temple-town hotels near Dwarkadhish and Somnath; Gujarat Tourism’s Toran hotels; trust guesthouses.

Getting there

Dwarka and Somnath (Veraval) both have railway stations. The nearest airports are Jamnagar for Dwarka, and Diu or Rajkot for Somnath.

Tips

Phones and cameras are not allowed in some sanctums; use the lockers.
Janmashtami at Dwarka and Mahashivratri at Somnath are the biggest days.
Book temple rooms and darshan services only on the trusts’ official sites; fake Somnath booking sites have been reported.

Best time to visit

Oct-Mar. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.

Temples and shrines near Dwarka and Somnath

Dwarkadhish Krishna as king of Dwarka; one of the Char Dham
Somnath Shiva; the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Girnar Holy mountain for Jains and Hindus

All pilgrimages in India

Places to see in and around Dwarka and Somnath

13 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.

Nageshvara Jyotirlinga Temple, 16 km
Dwarakadhish Temple Temple, 0 km
Bet Dwarka Island, 28 km
Rukmini Devi Temple Temple, 2 km
Dvaraka Pitha Monastery, 0 km
Rama Lakshamana Temples, Baradia Temple, 5 km
Pindara Group of Temples Temple, 29 km
Magderu Temple, 10 km
Kalika Mata Temple, New Dhrewad Temple, 15 km
Shivrajpur beach Beach, 10 km
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 25 km
Shri Keshavraiji Temple Temple, 27 km
Hanuman Dandi temple Temple, 30 km

More places in Gujarat

Food to try in and around Dwarka and Somnath

Gujarat favourites to look out for.

Thali
Khaman
Handvo
Khakhra
Kadhi
Bhakharwadi
Methi na bhajiya
Sev khamani
Chaas
Keri no ras
Gir Kesar Mango GI: fruit
Bhalia Wheat GI: rice or grain

The full food passport, state by state.

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Dwarka and Somnath