Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at Somnath Temple as part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by Rajendra Prasad.
Regarded as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple holds deep religious and civilisational significance in India, making the anniversary a major symbolic occasion.
Roadshow and tribute to Sardar Patel
Before entering the temple premises, Narendra Modi held a roadshow through Somnath, where large crowds gathered along the route.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gir Somnath before proceeding to the temple.
Security was tightened across key locations in the city in view of the high-profile visit.
Visit part of Gujarat programme
The Prime Minister’s visit forms part of his broader Gujarat programme.
According to Harsh Sanghavi, Narendra Modi arrived in Jamnagar before travelling to Somnath for the Mahotsav.
Later in the day, he is scheduled to inaugurate Sardar Dham in Vadodara, where another large public reception and roadshow have been planned.
Somnath’s journey from ruin to renewal
Ahead of the visit, Narendra Modi had shared an op-ed reflecting on the enduring significance of Somnath Temple.
He described the temple’s history as a journey “from ruin to renewal”, paying tribute to generations who preserved and restored its legacy despite repeated destruction over centuries.
The Prime Minister also recalled attending the Somnath Swabhiman Parv earlier this year, which marked 1,000 years since the first recorded attack on the temple.
The ongoing Somnath Amrut Mahotsav thus carries both spiritual and historical resonance, underlining the temple’s enduring place in India’s civilisational memory.
