Somnath Mahashivratri Parv

At a glance

The first of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, Somnath Khestra in Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, stands as the crossroads of devotion, history, and artistic expression.  Somnath temple stands at the shore of the Arabian Ocean on the western corner of the Indian subcontinent in Gujarat State. This pilgrimage is one of the oldest and finds its reference in ancient texts like Skandpuran, Shreemad Bhagavat, Shivpuran etc.

It’s said that Somraj (the moon god) first built a temple in Somnath, made of gold; this was rebuilt by Ravana in silver, by Krishna in wood and by Bhimdev in stone. It has withstood the six-repeated desecration by the Muslim invaders. The very existence of this temple is a symbol of the reconstructive spirit and cultural unity of our society. The Iron Man of India Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel is the pioneer of the seventh existing temple. The current serene, symmetrical structure was built to traditional designs on the original coastal site: it’s painted a creamy colour and boasts a little fine sculpture.

The temple is consisting of Garbhgruh, Sabhamandap and Nrityamandap with a 155 feet high Shikhar. The Kalash at the top of the Shikhar weighs 10 tons and the Dhwajdand is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference. Today the temple is one of the most visited Shiva temples and it's flocked by lakhs of tourists each month.

Deeply rooted in Shaivism, Somnath embodies the traditions of Shaiv Agama, where music and dance are not just art forms but acts of worship—bridging the divine and the mortal.In Shaivism, Shiva is the cosmic dancer, Nataraja, whose Tāṇḍava rhythm shapes the universe. The Damaru, the first drum, beats in his hands, giving birth to Swaras (musical notes), which form the basis of Bharatiya classical music.

Somnath too was never just places of worship; it was a centre of Nāṭya (dance) and Gāna (music), where spiritual experience was heightened through artistic expression. The Natya Mandap of the temple stands witness to this long-forgotten tradition.

Key Features of the Somnath Mahashivratri Parv:

- Thousands of bells on walkway of temple

- 10,000 diyas everyday at temple premise with beautiful rangolis

- Shiv tandava holographic experience

- Flower decor in temple

- Laser lights

When

The Somnath Mahashivratri Parv, held annually during Mahashivratri in February, is a prominent cultural and spiritual event. The upcoming festival is scheduled to take place from February 14 to February 15, 2026. This event will feature a variety of performances, including classical music and dance, along with conferences and other engaging activities, offering a unique blend of devotion and cultural enrichment.

Where

Somnath Mahashivratri Parv takes place in gir Somnath district at Somnath temple.

Near by Destinations

Gir National Park, Triveni Sangam, Bhalka Teerth, Devalia Safari Park.

Who Comes

The festival is visited and enjoyed by tourists from all over the India. This is one time when natives of the region and travelers along with Government administrative officers all together come along to celebrate the Somnath Festival.