Somnath Swabhiman Parv: Modi’s Tribute to Heritage

Arrival in Somnath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Somnath on Saturday as part of his three-day visit to Gujarat. His itinerary includes participation in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. At the helipad near the iconic Somnath Mahadev Temple in Veraval, Gir Somnath district, PM Modi was welcomed by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other state officials.

Sharing his thoughts on social media, the Prime Minister described Somnath as “a proud symbol of our civilisational courage” and expressed gratitude for the warm reception, highlighting that his visit coincides with the thousand-year commemoration of the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026.

Journey to VVIP Circuit House and Public Greetings

From the helipad, PM Modi proceeded to the VVIP circuit house. Along the route, a large crowd of local residents and devotees gathered to greet him. According to a state government release, the PM will later witness a spectacular drone show at the temple, featuring nearly 3,000 drones recreating the historical events surrounding the temple.

Shree Somnath Trust and Shaurya Yatra

PM Modi will chair a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust as its chairman. On Sunday at 9:45 am, he is scheduled to participate in the Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession honoring the heroes who sacrificed their lives to defend the Somnath temple. The procession will symbolically include 108 horses, representing courage and valor.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv Celebrations

Following the Shaurya Yatra, PM Modi will offer prayers at the temple at 10:15 am and attend a public function at 11 am to mark the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. The festival commemorates the countless individuals who defended the temple over centuries and celebrates its enduring cultural and spiritual significance.

This year’s event is particularly significant as it marks 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion in 1026. Despite repeated attempts to destroy it, the Somnath temple stands today as a symbol of resilience, faith, and national pride. The temple’s post-independence restoration, initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and completed in 1951 with its reopening by then-President Rajendra Prasad, remains a milestone in its revival.

The 75th anniversary of this historic restoration adds special significance to the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations. Hundreds of saints from across India will participate, alongside 72 hours of continuous chanting of ‘Om’ within the temple premises. PM Modi’s presence underscores the commitment to preserving India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot

Later on Sunday, PM Modi will travel to Rajkot for the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) focusing on the Kutch and Saurashtra regions. At 1:30 pm, he will inaugurate the trade show and exhibition at the conference. The Prime Minister will also announce the development of 14 greenfield smart GIDC estates and inaugurate a new medical device park by GIDC in Rajkot.

From Rajkot, PM Modi will travel to Ahmedabad. At 5:15 pm at Mahatma Mandir metro station in Gandhinagar, he will inaugurate the remaining stretch of Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad Metro, connecting Sector 10A (Sachivalaya) to Mahatma Mandir.

Meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

On Monday, PM Modi will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Together, they will visit the Sabarmati Ashram, the historic home of Mahatma Gandhi, and participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront.

Bilateral engagements will follow at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre from 11:15 am, where both leaders will review the India-Germany strategic partnership, which recently completed 25 years. The day will conclude with delegation-level talks and a joint press statement.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that both leaders will also interact with business and industry representatives, discussing key issues of regional and global importance.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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