PM joins Somnath Parv celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday arrived in Gujarat’s Somnath to participate in the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv, marking the millennium since the first recorded invasion of the Somnath temple in 1026.The Prime Minister began the commemoration by participating in Omkar chanting at the shrine. He also witnessed a drone show at the temple complex later in the evening.

The four-day event, being held from January 8 to 11, marks 1,000 years since the invasion by Mahmud of Ghazni and 75 years of the temple’s reconstruction after Independence.

According to an official statement, the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv commemorates “a millennium of faith, resilience and civilisational continuity”, with Somnath revered as the first Jyotirlinga.

The Prime Minister will participate in several events on Sunday as part of the celebrations, including Akhand Omkar chanting, the Shaurya Yatra and other commemorative programmes.

The Somnath temple also symbolises sustainability initiatives, women’s empowerment and cultural revival.

In Somnath this evening, PM Modi also chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. The Trust reviewed various aspects relating to infrastructure upgradations in the temple complex and ways to make the pilgrimage to Somnath even more memorable.