The grand ritual, being held under the ‘Somnath Amrut Parv-2026’ celebrations, will witness sacred water from 11 revered pilgrimage sites poured over the temple’s towering 90-metre-high shikhar in a rare spiritual ceremony blending ancient tradition with modern engineering.
Historic first-ever ‘Kumbhabhishekam’ at Somnath Temple: PM Modi attends grand ceremony marking 75 years of re-consecration
In a historic first for the reconstructed Somnath Temple, a grand ‘Kumbhabhishekam’ ceremony will be performed atop the temple’s towering 90-metre-high shikhar today in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The unprecedented ritual, organised as part of the ‘Somnath Amrut Parv-2026’ celebrations marking 75 years of the shrine’s re-consecration after Independence, will see sacred water collected from 11 revered pilgrimage sites poured over the temple spire in a rare spectacle combining centuries-old spiritual traditions with complex modern engineering.
The four-day celebrations from May 8 to 11 commemorate the rebirth of the first Jyotirlinga temple, rebuilt as a symbol of India’s civilisational resurgence following a vision championed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel after independence. Organisers called the event ‘the first-ever Kumbhabhishekam’ to be performed atop the reconstructed Somnath temple’s shikhar, making it a landmark moment in the shrine’s modern history.
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#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at the Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marks 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple.
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/diN7UgesFv
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs rituals as part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at the Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marks 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple.
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/h4dTRrc0pC
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
As part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations, the Prime Minister took part in the Vishesh Maha Puja, followed by the Kumbhabhishek and Dhvajarohan ceremonies, marking the consecration rituals and hoisting of the temple flag.
#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow
PM Modi will participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at Somnath Temple today
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/HTwQVtoReM
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
Traditionally associated with temples in southern India, Kumbhabhishekam is a sacred purification ritual typically performed every 10 to 12 years. At Somnath, the ceremony has been planned on an extraordinary scale, with a specially designed eight-foot-tall kalash weighing 760 kg prepared to carry holy water collected from 11 pilgrimage sites across the country.
Officials said the massive vessel, once filled, will weigh nearly 1.86 metric tonnes and will be lifted to the temple’s summit using a 350-tonne all-terrain crane stationed outside the temple complex. The crane’s boom has been specially extended to reach the 90-metre height of the shikhar without placing any structural stress on the heritage temple.
Authorities overseeing the arrangements said the entire operation has been designed under a “zero load principle” to ensure complete protection of the temple structure during the ritual. The Roads and Buildings Department supervised the preparation and installation of the infrastructure for the ceremony.
The sacred water will be released over the temple through a remote-operated sensor mechanism, with the abhishek expected to conclude within three minutes amid Vedic chants and elaborate religious rituals.
The spiritual programme also includes Atirudra recitations and Vedic chanting by 51 Brahmins, along with a three-day Maharudra Yagna involving 1.25 lakh offerings. Adding to the grandeur of the celebrations, the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team will conduct a special aerial display using six Hawk Mk-132 aircraft.
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