Ahmedabad: The Somnath Swabhiman Parv commenced at the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat, marking the 75th anniversary of the consecration of the Somnath Jyotirlinga. The occasion also heralds the beginning of a year-long series of spiritual, cultural, and social programmes dedicated to the legacy and resilience of the revered shrine.
To mark the occasion, the Modi Archive shared rare photographs from 2001 on social media platform X. The images are from the golden jubilee celebrations of the Somnath Temple, attended by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister L.K. Advani. The event was organised on October 31, 2001, under the supervision of Narendra Modi, who was then serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.
That day marked the conclusion of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of the Jyotirlinga’s consecration. The date also coincided with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had envisioned the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in 1951.
Recalling the contributions of national stalwarts, Narendra Modi had paid tribute to leaders such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad and Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi, whose determination and vision played a pivotal role in the temple’s reconstruction. In an emotional address, he had described Somnath as a symbol of India’s soul and saluted the brave defenders who laid down their lives protecting the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas from foreign invaders.
The ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv is also being observed to commemorate 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple in 1026. The festival stands as a celebration of Somnath’s enduring heritage, faith, and resilience across centuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation through a post on X, recalling the timeless spirit of a civilisation that has kept Somnath alive in the hearts of millions for over a millennium. Sharing photographs from his earlier visits to the temple, the Prime Minister urged citizens to participate by sharing their memories and joining the celebrations.
A range of spiritual and community programmes are being held at the Somnath Temple from January 8 to January 11. The central theme of the festival, “Unbroken Faith,” highlights the temple as a symbol of resilience, cultural continuity, and national unity.
