Places to visit in Gir Somnath
8 places, grouped by kind. Each one shows how well it is verified: an official source, two independent sources, or not yet verified.
Gir forest 2
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Devalia Safari Park (Gir Interpretation Zone) Official source
Fenced 4.12 sq km zone with 45-minute bus tours (Gujarat Tourism).
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Gir National Park (Sasan Gir) Official source
Last home of the Asiatic lion: sanctuary 1,412 sq km (1965), national park core 259 sq km (1975); 674 lions in the 2020 census. Safaris closed 16 June-15 October; permits only at girlion.gujarat.gov.in (Gujarat Tourism).
Somnath 5
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Shree Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple Official source
Jyotirlinga on the coast; foundation stone laid by Sardar Patel on 12 November 1947, rebuilt 1950-51; open 6:30 AM-9 PM; light-and-sound show 7:45 PM (Gujarat Tourism).
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Bhalka Tirth Official source
Where Krishna is said to have been struck by an arrow; open 6 AM-10 PM (Gujarat Tourism). One date on the page is wrong and is not used.
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Somnath Mahashivratri Parv Official source
14-15 February 2026 (Gujarat Tourism); 2027 dates to confirm.
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Triveni Sangam Official source
Meeting of the Hiran, Kapila and Saraswati at the sea; open dawn to dusk (Gujarat Tourism).
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Prabhas Patan Museum Official source
Listed by Gujarat Tourism.
Coast 1
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Ahmedpur Mandavi Official source
Beach listed by Gujarat Tourism.
In depth: Gir National Park (Sasan Gir)
Gir is the last refuge of the Asiatic lion. Numbers have grown from under 200 in the late 1960s to 674 in the 2020 census. Jeep safaris run from Sasan Gir between mid-October and mid-June, and the fenced Devalia zone gives shorter bus tours. Somnath is under an hour away.
At a glance
- Type
- National park and sanctuary Official source
- Area
- Sanctuary 1,412 sq km; national park core 259 sq km (Gujarat Tourism) Official source
- Lions
- 674 in the 2020 census (Gujarat Tourism) Official source
- Safari season
- Closed 16 June-15 October; best November-March (Gujarat Tourism) Official source
- Permits
- Online only at girlion.gujarat.gov.in (Gujarat Tourism) Official source
- Safari slots
- 6-9 AM, 8:30-11:30 AM and 6 PM (Gujarat Tourism) Official source
- Time needed
- Two nights
History and significance
- Protection
- Sanctuary from 1965; national park core from 1975 (Gujarat Tourism). Official source
- Recovery
- Under 200 lions in the late 1960s, 674 in 2020 (Gujarat Tourism). Official source
What to see
- Jeep safari
- From Sasan Gir, by online permit.
- Devalia
- Bus tours every hour in the fenced zone.
- Museum
- Open 7 AM-7 PM (Gujarat Tourism).
Visiting
- Permits
- Book only on girlion.gujarat.gov.in. Official source
- Fees
- Shown on the permit portal; not reproduced here. Not yet verified
Festivals
- Season opening
- Safaris resume 16 October each year (Gujarat Tourism). Official source
Visitor guidelines
- Stay in the vehicle; follow your guide.
- No safaris from 16 June to 15 October.
- Carry the ID used for the permit.
How to reach Gir National Park (Sasan Gir)
- By air
- Keshod, about 54 km (Gujarat Tourism). Official source
- By road
- About 42 km from Veraval and 71 km from Junagadh (Gujarat Tourism). Official source
- By train
- Veraval or Junagadh. Two sources
Month by month
| Month | Temp °C | Sunrise | Sunset | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | IMD normals to add | 07:27 | 18:25 | Best: cool, dry |
| Feb | IMD normals to add | 07:19 | 18:45 | Good |
| Mar | IMD normals to add | 06:58 | 18:57 | Warming |
| Apr | IMD normals to add | 06:30 | 19:06 | Hot |
| May | IMD normals to add | 06:10 | 19:17 | Hottest |
| Jun | IMD normals to add | 06:05 | 19:30 | Monsoon arrives |
| Jul | IMD normals to add | 06:14 | 19:33 | Monsoon |
| Aug | IMD normals to add | 06:26 | 19:19 | Monsoon |
| Sep | IMD normals to add | 06:34 | 18:52 | Monsoon easing |
| Oct | IMD normals to add | 06:42 | 18:24 | Warm; Navratri season |
| Nov | IMD normals to add | 06:58 | 18:07 | Best: dry, pleasant |
| Dec | IMD normals to add | 07:17 | 18:08 | Best: cool, dry |
Suggested plans
- Two days
- Morning safari, Devalia in the afternoon, Somnath on the second day.
- Three days
- Add Junagadh and Girnar.
How to reach Gir Somnath
- By train
- Somnath and Veraval (Gujarat Tourism).
- By air
- Keshod; Porbandar 120 km; Rajkot 200 km (Gujarat Tourism).
- By road
- Somnath is 82 km from Junagadh, 410 km from Ahmedabad.
- Headquarters
- Veraval
- Coast
- Coastal (Arabian Sea)
Best time to visit Gir Somnath
- Best time
- November to March.
- Climate
- Hot summers, monsoon June-September, mild winters.
Dates to plan around in Gujarat
- Rann Utsav 2026-27 — Dhordo, Kutch: 1 Nov 2026 - 7 Mar 2027 per Travel Trade Journal; official page still shows 2025-26 (to confirm)
- Girnar parikrama — Junagadh: November, Kartik Ekadashi to Purnima; 2026 dates to confirm
- Shamlaji Fair — Shamlaji, Aravalli: 20-24 November 2026 (Incredible India)
- International Kite Festival — Ahmedabad: 10-14 January 2026 edition; 2027 to confirm
- Bhavnath fair — Girnar Taleti, Junagadh: 3-8 March 2027 (Incredible India)
- Kavant fair — Kavant, Chhota Udaipur: After Holi; 7 March 2026 listed; 2027 to confirm
- Saputara Monsoon Festival — Saputara, Dang: 8-29 August 2026 (passed)
- Tarnetar fair — Tarnetar, Surendranagar: Bhadarva (Aug-Sep); 26-29 Aug 2025 last listed
Where to stay in Gir Somnath
No stays have been verified for Gir Somnath yet — our guide lists a stay only after checking it with an official source.
Quick answers about Gir Somnath
What is Gir Somnath known for?
The Asiatic lions of Gir and the Somnath Jyotirlinga on the coast.
What is the one place not to miss in Gir Somnath?
Gir National Park (Sasan Gir). Last home of the Asiatic lion: sanctuary 1,412 sq km (1965), national park core 259 sq km (1975); 674 lions in the 2020 census. Safaris closed 16 June-15 October; permits only at girlion.gujarat.gov.in (Gujarat Tourism).
Which is the nearest railway station to Gir Somnath?
Somnath and Veraval (Gujarat Tourism).
Which is the nearest airport to Gir Somnath?
Keshod; Porbandar 120 km; Rajkot 200 km (Gujarat Tourism).
When is the best time to visit Gir Somnath?
November to March.
How many places are there to visit in Gir Somnath?
Our guide lists 8 places in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, across gir forest, somnath, coast.
Nearby, in neighbouring districts
- Girnar Hill, Junagadh — About 10,000 steps to Hindu and Jain temples; Gorakhnath peak at 1,117 m. Neminath (12th century), Mallinath (1177), Amba Mata and Dattatreya; open dawn to dusk (Gujarat Tourism).
- Ambardi Safari Park, Amreli — Reserved forest on the Shetrunji in the Gir protected area, with Asiatic lions; details at ambardisafaripark.org (Gujarat Tourism).