Gujarat has India’s longest coastline, the white salt desert of Kutch and old stone towns where temple bells ring before sunrise. For Shiva devotees, it holds some of the most famous Shiva temples in Gujarat, including two of the 12 Jyotirlingas.
Quick Answer: Gujarat has eight notable Shiva temples covered in this guide: Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev, Koteshwar Mahadev, Bhavnath Mahadev, Gopnath Mahadev, Hatkeshwar Mahadev and Trinetreshwar Mahadev. Somnath and Nageshwar are the state’s two Jyotirlinga shrines. Their locations span Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat.
Somnath and Nageshwar lead the list. Bhadkeshwar is on a rock in the Dwarka sea, Gopnath on a cliff near Bhavnagar and Koteshwar at the Kutch border. Bhavnath, Hatkeshwar and Trinetreshwar complete the eight.
The catch is distance. Koteshwar is 154 km beyond Bhuj with two buses a day. The sea covers Bhadkeshwar every June and July, and Mahashivratri crowds at Bhavnath can hold you up for hours.
That’s why you need to know a few things before you start planning. Darshan timings, tide windows, festival dates and road distances decide how many shrines you cover in a day. Our Chiku Cab drivers take these Saurashtra and Kutch routes regularly and plan each drive by aarti time.
Plan Your Gujarat Shiva Temple Tour with ChikuCab
Planning to visit Somnath, Nageshwar, Dwarka and other famous Shiva temples in Gujarat? Travel comfortably with ChikuCab’s one-way and round-trip taxi services. Choose a sedan or SUV for family travel or a Tempo Traveller for larger pilgrimage groups.
Famous Mahadev Temples in Gujarat at a Glance
These ancient Shiva temples in Gujarat are spread over Saurashtra, Kutch and North Gujarat.
| Temple | Location | Known For |
| Somnath Jyotirlinga | Prabhas Patan | First of the 12 Jyotirlingas |
| Nageshwar Jyotirlinga | Dwarka | 80 ft Shiva statue |
| Bhadkeshwar Mahadev | Dwarka | Shivling on a sea rock |
| Koteshwar Mahadev | Kutch | Westernmost temple of India |
| Bhavnath Mahadev | Junagadh | Mahashivratri mela |
| Gopnath Mahadev | Bhavnagar | Cliff-top coastal shrine |
| Hatkeshwar Mahadev | Vadnagar | Carved stone walls |
| Trinetreshwar Mahadev | Tarnetar | Tarnetar Fair |
1. Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple, Prabhas Patan
Waves slap the sea wall below Somnath while the conch and drums of the 7 PM aarti rise above them. Somnath Jyotirlinga is the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Moon god Soma is believed to have worshipped Shiva here to escape a curse.
Raiders destroyed the temple several times, and devotees rebuilt it each time. Sardar Patel pushed for the present Chalukya-style temple, consecrated in 1951. Its Baan Stambh pillar marks that no land lies between this shore and the South Pole.Planning to explore Somnath and nearby temples? Book a local sightseeing cab in Somnath for convenient temple visits.
Somnath Darshan Timings and Facilities
| Detail | Timing / Rule |
| Darshan | 6 AM to 10 PM |
| Aarti | 7 AM, 12 PM and 7 PM |
| Light and sound show | After the evening aarti |
| Mobile phones | Deposit at the cloakroom |
For the latest darshan schedule, aarti timings and visitor facilities, check the official Somnath Temple website before planning your visit.
Book poojas and Trust rooms only on the official Somnath Trust website, never through agents at the gate.
2. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple near Dwarka
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is 17 km from Dwarka on the Bet Dwarka road. Its 80 ft seated Shiva statue is visible from the highway.
The Shiva Purana tells of the demon Daruka, who jailed the devotee Supriya in the Darukavana forest. Supriya kept chanting Shiva’s name. Shiva appeared, killed Daruka and stayed here as Nageshwar. Steps lead down to a cool, dim sanctum where Om Namah Shivaya echoes off the stone.Travellers starting their Gujarat pilgrimage from Ahmedabad can book a taxi service in Ahmedabad for their outstation journey.
Nageshwar Darshan Timings and Rules
- Darshan is open 6 AM to 9 PM.
- Men may need a dhoti for abhishek, and the temple provides one.
- During Shravan and Mahashivratri, timings change.
3. Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Dwarka
Bhadkeshwar is a small white shrine on a rock off Dwarka’s western shore. Its Shivling is believed to be swayambhu, found in the sea. Every June and July, the water rises over the temple and falls back, which locals call the sea’s own abhishek.
We recommend reaching at sunset during low tide, when the path is dry and gulls circle the shrine. It’s one of the famous Mahadev temples near Dwarka.Check the Gujarat government’s Bhadkeshwar Mahadev guide for temple location and visitor information.
4. Koteshwar Mahadev Temple, Kutch
Koteshwar marks India’s western edge, 2 km past Narayan Sarovar and 154 km from Bhuj. Legend says Ravana dropped a Shivling here by mistake. It multiplied into a crore (koti) copies, and the original stayed back.
- Open sunrise to sunset.
- Carry a photo ID, since the border is close.
- Food stops thin out after Bhuj, so pack water and snacks.
A cab that waits through darshan at Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar turns this into a simple day trip from Bhuj.Visitors can book a taxi service in Bhuj for the journey to Koteshwar and Narayan Sarovar.
5. Bhavnath Mahadev Temple, Junagadh
Bhavnath Mahadev is at the foot of Mount Girnar, 8 km from Junagadh town. Legend says a garment of Shiva and Parvati fell at Mrigi Kund here.
Among the famous Shiva temples near Junagadh, Bhavnath is the one for Mahashivratri. Its five-day mela ends on Shivratri night, when Naga sadhus bathe in Mrigi Kund and walk in procession blowing conch shells. Junagadh is on the Ahmedabad to Somnath road.
6. Gopnath Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar
Gopnath is on a cliff above the Gulf of Khambhat, 75 km from Bhavnagar. The temple is believed to be 700 years old, and tradition links it to the poet saint Narsinh Mehta. Salt wind and the crash of waves fill the courtyard.
7. Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Vadnagar
Hatkeshwar is on the edge of Vadnagar, 111 km from Ahmedabad. This 17th-century temple is the kuldevta of the Nagar Brahmin community.
Spend time on its outer walls. Carvings of the Navagraha, apsaras and Ramayana scenes make it a fine example of Lord Shiva temple architecture in Gujarat.
8. Trinetreshwar Mahadev Temple, Tarnetar
Trinetreshwar honours the three-eyed Shiva at Tarnetar, 75 km from Rajkot. Its roots go back to the Solanki era. Devotees believe a dip in its three kunds equals a bath in the Ganga.
Every Bhadrapad, the Tarnetar Fair fills the grounds with embroidered umbrellas and Raas danced by 200 women in one circle. The 2026 fair took place on 14 to 17 September.
Best Time to Visit Shiva Temples in Gujarat
| Season / Festival | When | What to Expect |
| Winter | October to March | Cool days for long drives |
| Mahashivratri | 6 March 2027 | Bhavnath mela, night pooja at Somnath |
| Shravan | Monsoon | Monday poojas, longer queues |
| Tarnetar Fair | Bhadrapad | Folk fair at Trinetreshwar |
For senior citizens, we recommend winter. After March, midday heat makes queues and coastal steps tiring.
How to Plan a Gujarat Shiva Temple Tour by Road
A 7 to 8 day loop covers all eight without rushing darshan.
- Visit Hatkeshwar as a day trip from Ahmedabad.
- Drive to Tarnetar, then on to Bhuj for Koteshwar.
- From Bhuj, head to Dwarka for Nageshwar and Bhadkeshwar.
- Take the 233 km coast road via Porbandar to Somnath.
- Finish with Bhavnath in Junagadh and Gopnath before returning via Bhavnagar.
Try to start darshan before 10 AM, when queues are shorter. Rooms near Somnath and Dwarka fill up early in Shravan.Planning the coastal journey? Read our Ahmedabad to Somnath road trip guide for route details and travel tips.
We provide one-way and round trip cabs and tempo travellers for Gujarat temple tours, as per your group size. Our drivers know the coastal highway and Kutch roads, and wait patiently while you finish darshan.
Plan Your Gujarat Shiva Temple Tour with ChikuCab
Planning a visit to Gujarat’s famous Shiva temples with family or friends? Travel comfortably with ChikuCab by booking a sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller for your temple tour. Whether you are visiting Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Dwarka or other famous Mahadev temples in Gujarat, share your pickup location, travel dates and group size to get a fare quote for your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shiva Temples in Gujarat
1. Which are the 8 most famous Shiva temples in Gujarat?
The 8 most famous Shiva temples in Gujarat are Somnath Jyotirlinga, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev, Koteshwar Mahadev, Bhavnath Mahadev, Gopnath Mahadev, Hatkeshwar Mahadev and Trinetreshwar Mahadev. Six of them are in Saurashtra, Koteshwar is in Kutch and Hatkeshwar is in North Gujarat.
2. Which is the most famous Lord Shiva temple in Gujarat?
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple in Prabhas Patan is the most famous Lord Shiva temple in Gujarat. As the first Jyotirlinga in India, it brings in pilgrims from every part of India, and many devotees begin their Gujarat Shiva temple tour at its sea-facing gates.
3. Where is Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple located, and why is it famous?
Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple is in Prabhas Patan, Gir Somnath district, 7 km from Veraval on the Saurashtra coast. It’s famous as the first Jyotirlinga and for rising again after every raid in its history. The current temple dates to 1951, and its Baan Stambh points south with no land between it and the South Pole.
4. What are the darshan timings of Somnath Temple in Gujarat?
Somnath Temple stays open for darshan between 6 AM and 10 PM every day, and there’s no entry fee. Darshan pauses for a short while during each aarti. Phones can’t go inside, so keep a few minutes for the cloakroom queue before you join the darshan line.
5. What are the daily aarti timings at Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple?
Somnath Jyotirlinga holds three aartis a day, the morning aarti at 7 AM, the midday aarti at 12 PM and the Sandhya aarti at 7 PM. The evening one gets the biggest crowd, so we suggest reaching half an hour early. The light and sound show begins once it ends.
6. What is the best time to visit Somnath and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temples?
October to March is the ideal season, with cool weather for the long coastal drive between both Jyotirlingas. Shravan and Mahashivratri, which falls on 6 March 2027, bring special poojas along with longer queues. For senior citizens, winter mornings before 10 AM make darshan easiest.
7. Which Shiva temples in Gujarat are among the 12 Jyotirlingas of India?
Somnath and Nageshwar are the two Jyotirlingas in Gujarat out of the 12 across India. Somnath in Prabhas Patan is counted first in the list, while Nageshwar is 17 km from Dwarka. Both Jyotirlinga temples in Gujarat are on the Saurashtra coast, so one road trip covers them together.
8. How can devotees plan a Somnath and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga pilgrimage together?
Three days are enough for a Gujarat Jyotirlinga pilgrimage covering both temples. We suggest spending day one at Somnath for the evening aarti and light show. On day two, the coast road via Porbandar takes you to Dwarka in time for sunset at Bhadkeshwar. Nageshwar, Bet Dwarka and Dwarkadhish darshan fill the third day. A cab with a driver who knows this coastal route saves you from juggling bus timings.
9. What is the distance between Somnath Temple and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple?
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is 244 km from Somnath Temple by road. The drive follows the coastal highway through Porbandar and takes 4 to 5 hours with a tea stop. Our drivers cover this route regularly and know the good tea and darshan stops at Madhavpur and Porbandar.
10. How many days are required to visit the major Shiva temples in Gujarat?
You’ll need 7 to 8 days to visit all 8 major Shiva temples in Gujarat by road. Somnath, Nageshwar and Bhadkeshwar alone take 3 days. Koteshwar in Kutch needs a full day from Bhuj, so add it only if your schedule has room.
I’m a wanderer who loves venturing on to unknown and unseen places. I explore freely to various fun and adventurous places, whether it be spiritual temple tours, captivating landscapes, and more. I wonder around in search of hidden gems and tourist attractions, temples, and other places.
