Somnath — first of the 12 Jyotirlingas
A temple that has been destroyed and rebuilt at least seven times — by invaders, by earthquakes and (in this final version) by Sardar Patel himself. The dramatic coastline makes the spiritual punch even bigger.
Temple, water, sunset
The complex includes the main Somnath Temple with its towering stone shikhara, the small but elegant Bhalka Tirtha (where Krishna is said to have departed Earth), an open-air Triveni Sangam where three rivers meet the sea, and a beautifully-curated museum walking you through the temple's 7000-year documented history.
Time the visit so you're in the temple at sunset. Then catch the Sound & Light Show in the open-air auditorium at 7:30 pm — a 30-minute cinematic retelling of the temple's history. The waves crashing on the seawall behind the temple the whole time. It's magic.
Add Somnath
Pair with Junagadh for the perfect Saurashtra double-bill.