Lucknow: A large group of Sanatani women devotees, led by Sanatan Dhwajvahika Sapna Goyal under the banner of Ishwariya Swapnashish Seva Samiti, has embarked on a spiritual journey to the revered Somnath Temple in Gujarat to seek the divine blessings of Lord Shiva.
The women devotees will have darshan of Baba Somnath today, marking a significant spiritual pilgrimage. The atmosphere on board the special train, which departed from Gomti Nagar Railway Station, was filled with devotional chants, bhajans, and “Har Har Mahadev” slogans as the women expressed deep religious enthusiasm throughout the journey.
The special pilgrimage train was flagged off on Sunday by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath from Gomti Nagar Railway Station in Lucknow. Under this initiative, 1,008 selected devotees from across the state are being taken for darshan of the Somnath Jyotirlinga.
According to the schedule, the train will reach Somnath Station at 6 am on April 21. The return journey will commence on April 24, and the train is expected to arrive back in Lucknow on April 26.
Located in Veraval–Prabhas Patan in Gujarat, the Somnath Temple is considered the first Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and holds immense spiritual significance in Hindu tradition. Known for its resilience through repeated invasions and subsequent reconstructions, the temple stands today as a symbol of faith, cultural heritage, and architectural grandeur. It was rebuilt under the guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and is regarded as a major emblem of India’s spiritual pride.
Sapna Goyal, speaking on Monday, said that her mission is to contribute towards establishing India once again as “Vishwaguru” (world leader), rooted in its spiritual and cultural heritage. She added that the organization conducts daily Sundarkand recitations along with weekly collective Sundarkand sessions in nearby temples every Tuesday and Saturday.
She also recalled that on March 10, 2024, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, a grand collective Sundarkand recitation was organized at Jhulelal Ghat in Lucknow under her leadership, in which more than 5,000 women participated without any government or private support.
Over the past year, Sapna Goyal has led several large-scale religious and social initiatives across Uttar Pradesh and beyond, including mass Sundarkand recitations in more than 25 districts of the state. Devotional programs have also been organized at major pilgrimage sites such as the Siddhbali Temple in Kotdwar, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, Anandeshwar Mahadev Temple in Kanpur, and the Hanuman Temple complex in Prayagraj.
Additionally, regular monthly Sundarkand recitations have been initiated at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya since September last year.
Her organization is also engaged in various social service activities under the principle of “Seva Paramo Dharma,” including blanket distribution during winters, community food drives, and Kanwar Yatra service camps during the Shravan month.
Sapna Goyal, Founder of Shri Parmanand Hari Har Mandir, continues to lead these religious and social initiatives with a focus on spiritual upliftment and community service among women devotees.
