Why so many UK families make this journey
For Gujarati families in Britain, a visit home often includes darshan at the family deity’s temple and a wider yatra to the great shrines of the state. Some trips are built around a vow, others around a parent’s wish to see Somnath or Dwarka, and many simply add a few temples to a family visit.
Gujarat is large, so the order you visit the temples in matters. Planned well, a temple circuit can be done in a week to ten days without exhausting older relatives.
Somnath
Somnath, on the coast near Veraval, is the first of the twelve jyotirlingas of Shiva and one of the most important temples in India. The temple faces the Arabian Sea, and the evening aarti and light and sound show draw large crowds.
The closest airports are Keshod, about 57 km away, and Diu, about 85 km, both with limited domestic flights, and many pilgrims travel by road from Rajkot, Junagadh or Ahmedabad. Somnath combines naturally with Gir National Park, home of the Asiatic lion, a short drive inland.
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Dwarka
Dwarka, at the western tip of Saurashtra, is the city of Krishna and one of the Char Dham of Hindu tradition. The Dwarkadhish temple rises above the Gomti river, and many pilgrims also take the boat to the island of Bet Dwarka.
Porbandar, about 95 km away, and Jamnagar, about 110 km, are the nearest airports, with domestic flights from Mumbai, and Rajkot is another option. Dwarka is often paired with Somnath, a long drive along the coast.
Ambaji and North Gujarat
Ambaji, near the Rajasthan border, is one of the Shakti Peethas and one of the busiest temples in the state, especially during Navratri and the Bhadarvi Poonam fair. Nearby Gabbar hill has its own shrine, reached by steps or a ropeway.
Bahucharaji, the Modhera Sun Temple and the stepwell at Patan are all within reach of Ahmedabad and make a good two or three-day northern loop.
Central Gujarat: Pavagadh, Dakor and Akshardham
Pavagadh, near Vadodara, is home to the Kalika Mata temple on the hilltop, reached by a ropeway and steps, and the surrounding Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dakor, between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, is a major Krishna temple.
Akshardham in Gandhinagar, close to Ahmedabad airport, is an easy first or last stop. Vadodara airport suits this part of the circuit. See flights to Vadodara.
A sample route
One way to see the main temples in about ten days, starting and ending in Ahmedabad.
| Days | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Ahmedabad, Akshardham, Adalaj | Rest after the flight |
| 3 to 4 | Ambaji, Bahucharaji, Modhera | North Gujarat loop |
| 5 | Dakor and Pavagadh | Via Vadodara |
| 6 to 7 | Somnath and Gir | Long drive west |
| 8 to 9 | Dwarka and Bet Dwarka | Along the coast |
| 10 | Back to Ahmedabad or fly from Rajkot | Open-jaw saves a long drive |
Our tip: Fly into Ahmedabad and home from Rajkot, or the other way round. It saves a full day on the road.
Flights and airports
Air India flies non-stop from Gatwick to Ahmedabad on several days a week, and British Airways sells Heathrow to Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot on one ticket via Mumbai with IndiGo. Rajkot’s airport is at Hirasar, about 30 km from the city.
Our flights to Gujarat page explains every airport in detail, and our Rajkot page covers Saurashtra.
When to go
November to February is the most comfortable time, with warm, dry days. April to June is very hot, especially in Saurashtra, and the monsoon arrives in late June. Navratri, Janmashtami at Dwarka and Mahashivratri at Somnath are the busiest festival times.
Travelling with elderly parents
Long drives, steps and crowds can be tiring. Break the route into shorter days, choose hotels close to the temples, and use ropeways at Ambaji and Pavagadh. Book wheelchair help on the flights and ask temples about access for older devotees.
Our team speaks Gujarati, so parents can talk through the plan with us directly. See our page on assisted travel for elderly passengers.
Jain pilgrimage in Gujarat
Gujarat is also home to some of the most important Jain tirthas, including Palitana and Girnar. If your family follows the Jain tradition, see our Jain pilgrimage guide, which covers them in detail.
Where to stay
Somnath, Dwarka and Ambaji all have hotels and dharamshalas close to the temples, run by temple trusts and private owners. Staying within walking distance makes early morning aarti much easier and means less time in the car.
In Ahmedabad and Rajkot there is a wide choice of hotels for the start and end of the trip. If you are staying with relatives, we can plan the route around their home instead.
Food and customs
Gujarat is a largely vegetarian state, and temple towns are almost entirely so, which suits most pilgrims well. Gujarat is also a dry state, so alcohol is only sold to permit holders. Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering temples, and check whether photography is allowed inside.
Temple timings vary, with many shrines closing for a few hours in the afternoon. Check the darshan and aarti times for each temple before you plan the day.
Getting around
A car and driver for the whole trip is the most comfortable way to travel between the temples, and often cheaper than a string of taxis. Roads between the main towns are generally good, but distances are long, so allow full days for the drives between Ahmedabad, Somnath and Dwarka.
Trains link Ahmedabad with Rajkot, Jamnagar, Dwarka and Veraval for those who prefer rail, and can be a restful alternative for part of the route.
Questions people ask
Do I need a visa for a pilgrimage in Gujarat?
Yes, on a British passport. You need an Indian visa or OCI card, plus the free e-Arrival card before you land.
Which airport is best for Somnath and Dwarka?
Rajkot works for both. Porbandar and Jamnagar are closer to Dwarka, and Keshod and Diu to Somnath, but have fewer flights.
How many days do I need for a Gujarat temple yatra?
About a week to ten days for the main temples, travelling by road with a car and driver.
Is there a direct flight from the UK to Gujarat?
Yes. Air India flies non-stop from Gatwick to Ahmedabad on several days a week.
When is the best time for a Gujarat pilgrimage?
November to February. Festivals such as Navratri and Janmashtami are special but very busy.
Is there a ropeway at Pavagadh and Ambaji?
Yes. Ropeways help pilgrims reach the hilltop temples at Pavagadh and Gabbar near Ambaji.
Can I fly into Ahmedabad and home from Rajkot?
Yes. An open-jaw ticket saves a long drive back across the state.
Do you speak Gujarati?
Yes. Our team speaks Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu and English.
