The coast of Saurashtra is dense with sacred places: a Jyotirlinga, island shrines, ancient temples and sites linked to the Mahabharata. Here is how to include them in your yatra.
2 km 10 min · 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
A twelfth-century temple dedicated to Devi Rukmini, admired for its finely carved exterior of gods, dancers and elephants. Legend says it stands apart from the town because of a curse of Sage Durvasa.
Tip: Buy a water-offering token here; the temple is known for its jal daan tradition.
17 km 25 min · 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, described in the Shiva Purana as the protector from all poisons. A tall seated statue of Shiva marks the site.
Tip: Abhishek is allowed in the early morning; carry a dhoti for men.
20 km 30 min · Sunrise to sunset
The sacred pond where, by tradition, the gopis of Vrindavan met Shri Krishna. Its soft yellow clay, gopi chandan, is used for tilak across India.
30 km 50 min via Okha and the Sudarshan Setu bridge · 6:00 am - 1:00 pm, 5:00 - 9:00 pm
An island shrine revered as Shri Krishna's residence, reached today by the cable-stayed Sudarshan Setu. The island also has the Hanuman Dandi temple and fine beaches.
Tip: The shrine closes in the afternoon; plan to arrive before noon.
12 km 20 min · 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
A Blue Flag certified beach with clear water and a lighthouse: a quiet place to rest between darshans.
Tip: Swim only in the marked zone and follow the lifeguards' flags.
60 km 1 h 15 min · 5:30 am - 9:00 pm
The shrine of the family goddess of many Saurashtra communities, on the Koyla hill above the sea, on the coastal road to Porbandar.
100 km 2 h · 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, preserved as a memorial, and the rare temple of Sudama, Shri Krishna's childhood friend, with its maze of devotion.
235 km 4 h 30 min · 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
The first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, rebuilt many times through history, on the shore of the Arabian Sea. The evening light-and-sound show tells its story.
Tip: Plan an overnight stay to attend the evening aarti and the morning darshan.
Temple darshan with the four nearby shrines; state buses and private operators run this circuit daily for about ₹200 a person.
Mangala aarti and darshan at the temple
Rukmini Devi Temple, then breakfast
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Gopi Talav
Bet Dwarka over the Sudarshan Setu, lunch on the island
Back at the temple for the Sandhya aarti
Add the coastal road to Porbandar and Somnath, ending at the first Jyotirlinga.
The temple and the one-day local circuit; night stay at the temple's pilgrim rooms
Drive down the coast; halt at Harsiddhi Mata, Harshad
Kirti Mandir and the Sudama Temple at Porbandar
Somnath: evening aarti and the light-and-sound show
Distances are by road from the temple and are approximate. For routes and transport see how to reach; to stay overnight, book a pilgrim room.