Trip to Somnath and Diu

Trip to Somnath and Diu

Every one think that every website and blog mention both somnath and Diu in same trip as Somnath is a pilgrimage site and Diu is an adventures site with full of excitement and happiness only 90 km from Somnath. Both things come in a same package.

Time to plan your journey

Rail, Train and Air facilities are available

By Road- somnath is 227 km from Jamnagar by state highway and 162 km from Rajkot and 407 km from Ahmedabad

By Railways- Somnath is connected by broad gauge

1-Jamnagar to Somnath - 274 Km
2-Rajkot to Somnath-  189 Km
3-Ahmedabad to Somanth- 437 Km 

By Air- you can plan for Rajkot airport or Diu Airport

I started my journey from Jamnagar reached early morning. and my plan was not to stay in somnath because my journey was not so long but if any one travelled from a far destination they might stay at somanth so I want to share some information on accomodation at somnath. Best place to stay at somnath are somnath temple trust accommodation. Various options are available from high end room to pocket friendly. Lilavati among them is the best value for money However, the rooms have to be booked in advance to avoid reservation hassles. The trust books the tickets through bank draft. Somnath trtust site is also available for accommodation booking. Keep the private hotels in last option for accommodation at somnath.

you can contact to the trust for your full information 

Now time for somnath darshan

Darshan Timing

Timing for Darshan at Somnath Temple : 6.00am to 9.00pm

Timing for Aarti : 7.00 am, 12.00 Noon and 7.00 pm

"Jay Somnath" Sound and Light Show : 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm

Photography is prohibited at the temple these photos are from internet 

Somnath temple is situated in the western coast of Gujrat Somnath is the first among the 12 Jyotirlings

This legendary temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times by Islamic kings and Hindu kings respectively the larger glory is in the manner the temple has been restored. It is a morden marvel architecture with its scenic background of sea.

If anyone has to offer particular prayers like rudrabhishek, jalabhishek etc. while entering the temple right side a counter is located for the payment and receipt and after that all these mantras and vedic chanting will be carried by mandir pandits.

After offering prayer one should take the mandir maha Prasad .

Now its time to step out the mandir for breakfast.

Time for Diu

Diu is a small island near Junagadh of the Saurashtra Peninsula of Gujarat spread over an area of 38.8 Sq. kms. It is connected to Gujarat and Maharashtra by road and has no direct rail connections with the rest of the country. The nearest railway station is Veraval/sonath, about 90 kms from Diu, which is connected to Rajkot, Ahmedabad and other cities. The airport near Nagoa connects Diu to Mumbai by a lone Jet Airways flight. 

  
Diu is 90 Km far from Somnath so people can hire a taxi which charges up to Rs. 1200 or you can go through bus also. Bus services are also available private and govt. both.

After reaching Diu I checked in my room which was booked in a resort near Nagoa Beach. It was awesome its location near beach mesmerised me. after spending few minutes in my room i went out. I contacted a bike renter, in Diu you can hire a bike for Rs. 350/day or you can take a bus for site seeing in Diu. Diu tourism has arranged a bus from Diu Bus stand for Diu sit seeing. you have to book it in advance. after getting a bike on rent I headed towards the Diu fort

Diu Fort-
Time- All days of the week - 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Fort was build in 1535 by Portuguese it is a fine example of Portuguese engineering.  An important fact about Diu is that India took control on fort and Diu town in December 1961 even though India got independent in August 1947. Steel and copper cannons are kept on the top of the fort. and light house is also at the end of the fort. after spending a lot of time at fort with lots of photography and memories we headed towards the next destination that was the Nadia caves.

Nadia caves- Best time to visit in clear sunny day.its totally a colourful from inside and it is like a bhul bhuliya.

It is believed that when the Portuguese ruled over Diu, they broke down sections of a huge rock formation, that they used for construction. This is how the caves got shape eventually.

St. Pauls Church, Diu- Church was build by Portuguese. It is an example of baroque architecture. located in the Diu Town.
I spend here some time took some photographs.

Now I turned towards the Nagoa beach it's time for fun masti water sporting's.

Nagoa beach- Main attraction of Diu, where people can do fun, water sportings and many more most popular among travelers. It is 8 Km from Bus stand. on weekends u can find too much traffic here and on the week days it will be in normal conditions. beach is in perfect semi circle. Lots of restaurant and bars are available 

water sporting catalog-
Speed boat- Rs- 100
parasailing -Rs- 800
Water ski -Rs- 200
Banana Boat-Rs 150
Water Scooter- Rs 300

many more to tell about Diu to be continued...........

INS khukri memorial-

Gangeswar temple-

Dev Bhoomi Dwarka

Jai shree krishna

Dwarka Darshan- we will take you to dwarka, rukmini devi mandir, Gomti Ghat, nageswara and Bet Dwarka

How to reach Dwarka-

By Road- It is 131 kilometres by State Highway from Jamnagar ,you can take bus from Jamnagar to reach dwarka, or private vehicles are also available for hire from Jamnagar.
State transport Bus service is also available.

By railway-The Dwarka railway station is on the broad gauge railway line that runs from Ahmedabd to Okha 
1-Jamnagar to Dwarka -137 Km
2-Rajkot to Dwarka- 217 Km
3-Ahmedabad to Dwarka- 378 Km 
4-Delhi to Dwark- 1290 Km
5-Varanashi to Dwarka- 2080 Km

By air- Jamnagar has a domestic airport also. Known as Jamnagar airpoort or Gobardhan Pur airport Jamnagar.

# After Reaching Dwarka you can book a vehicle or you can book your seat in bus for your further tour/site seaing like , rukmini devi mandir, Gomti Ghat, nageswara and Bet Dwarka

Various travel agents are there but you have to book your seat or vehicle before time, auto are also available.

I am giving you some of the agents contact no for pre booking

you can book a seat in site seeing bus whose time is
1- 8:00 Am to 1:00 Pm
2- 2:30 Pm to 7:00 Pm 

Places to visit in Dwarka-

1-Dwarka Temple

Mandir Arti Time- 
Morning- 6:30 Am, 10:30 Am
Evening- 7:30 Pm, 8:30 Pm
Rajbhoog- 12:00 Pm
Temple closing Time- 9:30 Pm

-Dwarka-kingdom of lord Krishna , as per our mythological aspects dwarka is known for the loard krishna capital. after hearing the word dwarka it feels like the end of the earth. This pilgrimage town is situated at the extreme western tip of the peninsula of Kathiawar  and this is one of the four most holy Hindu sites in India.

Dwarka known for the dwarkadhish temple which is dedicated to Lord krishna was built around 2,500 years ago, but it was destroyed by many rulers and subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century. The temple is also the location of Dwarka math,  established by Adi Shankaracharya

2-Gomti Ghat

Dwarka temple is located on the bank of Gomti river, and there its also merge with sea, so its gives the feeling of sea high tide and low tides.you can take bath and enjoy

3-Dwarka light house

There is a lighthouse at the Dwarka Point on the Dwarka peninsula, which provides a panoramic view of the city. It is a fixed light situated 70 feet (21 m) above the sea level, and the light is visible over a distance of 16 km. The lighthouse tower is 12 m in height and is 107 m away from the high water level in the sea. The radio beacon provided on this lighthouse tower is powered by a solar photovoltaic module.

“Photography is not allowed and neither mobile phones.''

4- Camel ride

You can take a camel ride to add your adventure; many camels are available there near to the sea beech, behind the temple. Photographers are also available to take photos of your.

5-Now its time for next temple Rukmini devi temple

The Rukmini Devi Temple, dedicated to Rukmini, Krishna’s chief queen, 2 kilometres  away from Dwarka. The temple is said to be 2,500 years old, but in its present form it is estimated to belong to the 12th century. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior.

6-Nageswara.(lord shiva)

Located on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. This is an important Lord Shiva Temple. It is enshrined by one of the 12 jyothirlingas in the world. A 25 m tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva and a large garden with a pond are major attractions of this rather serene place.

7- Gopi talab

 It is 21 km from Dwarka and 5 km from Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple.

Story is related with Arjuna. After the battle at Kurukshetra, Arjuna thought himself to be the best warrior of the world. To show him his place, Lord Krishna asked him to escort his queens to Bet Dwarka. On the way, just near this pond, Arjuna was attacked by people of Kaba community, and Arjuna was defeated. The queens were shocked at this and died in this pond. So it is called Gopi Talav. The famous phrase ‘Kabe Arjun luntiyo,vohi dhanush vohi ban’ reflects this incident.

Gopi Talab is a small pond and the sandal like yellow sand is known as Gopi Chandan. The devotees take Gopi Chandan, believing it to be very good for skin 

8-bet dwarka (now end of the earth)

 It is a small island 3 Km from okha for this you have to go through boat that takes about 10 Rs. here is a temple of lord krishna. A langar is arranged at this temple for every people free of cost.