Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his three-day visit to Gujarat on Saturday evening by arriving at Somnath from Rajkot by helicopter. The visit, which runs from January 10 to January 12, includes religious, cultural, and commemorative programmes. Soon after reaching Somnath, the Prime Minister held a roadshow, drawing large crowds who lined both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of him.
Following the roadshow, the Prime Minister visited the historic Somnath Temple, where he performed Maha Aarti to Someshwar Mahadev. He also took part in a 72-hour Om chanting programme organised as part of the temple celebrations. Later in the evening, the Prime Minister witnessed a grand drone show, where nearly 3,000 drones were used to depict episodes from the Somnath saga, highlighting the temple’s long and resilient history.
Sharing his thoughts on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said he felt fortunate to be in Somnath and described the sacred place as a proud symbol of the courage and endurance of Indian civilisation. His message resonated with devotees and followers across the country. Before visiting the temple, the Prime Minister held a meeting with officials of the Somnath Trust at the Somnath Circuit House. He stayed overnight at the circuit house as part of his visit schedule.
The Prime Minister has named the ongoing celebrations “Somnath Swabhiman Parv” to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the first attack on Somnath in 1026. The festival is being observed from January 8 to January 11, with various religious and cultural programmes aimed at remembering the sacrifices made to protect the temple and its heritage.
On Sunday, January 11, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the Shaurya Yatra at 9:45 am. The procession, covering a distance of around two kilometres, will feature 108 horses and is being organised to honour warriors who sacrificed their lives defending the Somnath Temple. The Shaurya Yatra will conclude at the Sadbhavana Maidan in Somnath.
After the procession, the Prime Minister will again visit the Somnath Temple to perform Jalabhishek and offer prayers. He is scheduled to address a public meeting at Sadbhavana Maidan at around 11 am. Security arrangements have been tightened, and large crowds are expected to attend the day’s events.
