Gujarat Government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani announced preparations for the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ scheduled from January 8 to 11, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event, focusing on the country’s first Jyotirlinga, will honor Indian culture’s faith and self-respect.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, the state machinery is fully engaged to ensure the festival’s success. The celebration marks significant milestones – 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s 1026 attack on the Somnath temple and 75 years since Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel initiated the temple’s reconstruction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Somnath on January 10, offering prayers at the temple and paying homage at Sardar Patel’s statue. He will engage in a Shaurya Yatra, a drone show with 3,000 drones, and a public address promoting cultural unity.
A drone show featuring 3,000 drones will showcase the history and architectural splendor of Somnath. The Shaurya Yatra, honoring temple defenders, will include 108 horses and travel from Shankh Circle to Hamirji Gohil Circle. Special trains will operate from Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara to facilitate devotee movement.
The festival will host 2,500 sages conducting continuous Om chanting and 1,000 artists performing conch-blowing rituals inside the temple complex. Additionally, 20 stages will feature devotional music, folk dance, and cultural performances. The Somnath Corridor, like Ayodhya, Kashi, and Dwarka, is becoming a global spiritual landmark, boosting tourism and economic activity in the region.
