PM Modi Marks Somnath Swabhiman Parv Celebrating India’s Heritage of Resilience and Renewal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the Somnath Swabhiman Parv as a profound emblem of India’s eternal faith, resilience, and civilisational pride during grand celebrations at the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat. Emphasising that the temple symbolizes “victory and renewal” rather than destruction, PM Modi praised the temple’s enduring legacy as a living testament to the nation’s strength and spirit.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister called the festival a reflection of the unwavering resolve of “crores upon crores of Indians” and a journey spanning over a thousand years. He described participating in the Swabhiman Parv as a deeply personal and unforgettable moment. PM Modi stressed that despite repeated invasions over centuries, the flag still flies atop the temple, standing tall by the vast sea as a symbol of India’s civilisational endurance.

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Rejecting narratives that frame Somnath’s history solely around attacks, PM Modi clarified that the temple’s story is one of resilience and revival. “Those who came to destroy Somnath have today been reduced to a few pages of history,” he said. He drew attention to attempts after independence to obscure this history, saying forces that tried to obstruct the rebuilding of the temple remain present even today. The Prime Minister recalled that after independence, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took the oath to rebuild Somnath, his efforts were hindered, underscoring the temple’s significance as a symbol of national resurgence.

The Somnath Temple, believed to be the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, holds a unique place in India’s religious and cultural fabric. Its repeated reconstruction over centuries and modern revival after independence epitomise India’s cultural continuity and self-respect.

As part of the four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv, marking 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple in 1026, PM Modi performed puja at the temple and participated in a Shaurya Yatra. He also paid tribute at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Earlier, PM Modi chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust to review infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and described Somnath as a proud emblem of India’s civilisational bravery. During the festivities, he joined in the collective chanting of Omkar Naad for 1,000 seconds, an experience he said brought him a deep sense of positive energy and inner happiness. The celebrations also featured a spectacular drone show at the temple, which seamlessly combined ancient spirituality with modern technology. PM Modi remarked that this display conveyed a powerful message of India’s cultural strength from the sacred land of Somnath to the world.