Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Somnath in Gujarat as part of a three-day trip, participating in events for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a four-day celebration marking 1,000 years since the first attack on the historic Somnath Temple in 1026. Modi praised Somnath as a symbol of civilisational courage and expressed gratitude for the warm reception during the milestone commemoration. He also chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust to discuss infrastructure upgrades and enhancing the pilgrimage experience at the temple complex.
The Shree Somnath Trust, chaired by Prime Minister Modi since 2021, includes notable members like Union Home Minister Amit Shah, LK Advani, Harshvardhan Neotia, and JD Parmar. Established post-Independence, the trust oversees the temple’s reconstruction, a movement initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and KM Munshi. The day’s activities featured spiritual rituals, including Omkar Mantra chanting and a drone show depicting historical temple-related events. Tomorrow, Modi is set to join the Shaurya Yatra, perform darshan and puja, and address a public gathering on the Swabhiman Parv’s significance.
The ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ honors the temple’s legacy of resilience, symbolizing India’s civilisational courage and spiritual strength despite invasions. This year marks 75 years since the temple’s modern reconstruction in 1951, inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, following efforts by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In the evening, Modi led a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and enhancing the pilgrimage experience for devotees, aiming to make visits to the sacred Jyotirlinga even more memorable.
