Somnath Swabhimaan Parv: PM Modi to Visit Somnath on May 11, Participate in Historic Ceremony

The history of the Somnath temple, regarded as an eternal symbol of faith, courage, and Indian civilization, is once again in the spotlight. The 'Somnath Swabhimaan Parv' is being organized this year to commemorate 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple and the 75th anniversary of its reopening after reconstruction.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at the Somnath temple on May 11. Located in Prabhas Patan on the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat, the Somnath temple is considered the first and most sacred among the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. This temple, described in the Shiva Purana, is a major center for the worship of Lord Shiva, Lord Krishna, and Shakti.

The Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotra also places Somnath at the top, reflecting its supreme identity in India's spiritual and cultural heritage. The history of the Somnath temple is a remarkable tale of struggle and reconstruction. The first major attack on this temple occurred in 1026.

Subsequently, from the 11th to the 18th century, the temple was destroyed and looted multiple times, but each time devotees and kings rebuilt it. In the 12th century, King Kumarpal oversaw the temple's reconstruction. Later, the king of Junagadh and the Maratha queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore also gave the Somnath temple a new identity.

After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India, visited the ruins of Somnath in 1947 and resolved to reconstruct it, believing that its rebuilding would restore India's cultural confidence. Following this, the current temple was constructed in the Kailash Mahameru Prasad architectural style with public participation and national resolve. On May 11, 1951, India's first President, Rajendra Prasad, reopened the temple.

Today, 75 years later, Somnath remains a symbol of India's faith, pride, and spiritual strength. The story of Somnath is not limited to the temple itself but also includes the heroes who sacrificed their lives to protect it, notably Veer Hamirji Gohil, who is believed to have died defending the temple during the attack by Zafar Khan in 1299. The 'Somnath Swabhimaan Parv' is a celebration of India's unwavering faith and cultural renaissance.

This event serves as a reminder of the first attack in 1026 while also conveying the message of India's cultural rebirth through the reopening of the temple in 1951. Prime Minister Modi, who is also the president of the Somnath Trust, has described the temple as a symbol of India's 'invincible spirit.' He announced that special prayers will be held at Somnath for the next 1,000 days under the mantra of 'both development and heritage.' The Prime Minister has also urged people to visit Somnath during this historic period. In January 2026, Prime Minister Modi participated in the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv, during which the Omkar mantra was chanted for 72 hours, and special prayers were conducted for the prosperity of the nation.

A grand valor procession with 108 horses was also held in Prabhas Patan, dedicated to the warriors who protected the temple. A special train was launched on April 30, 2026, under the 'Chalo Chalen Somnath' campaign from Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi, with over 1,300 devotees participating. The journey reached Somnath on May 1, where rituals, cultural programs, and a light and sound show were organized.

This magnificent temple, located by the Arabian Sea, is adorned with a 150-foot high spire topped with a 10-ton kalash. The temple complex features 1,666 golden kalash and 14,200 flags, enhancing its grandeur. Every year, 9.2 to 9.7 million devotees visit for darshan.

The Somnath Trust is not limited to religious activities but also plays a significant role in education, health, women's empowerment, and environmental conservation. The Trust runs computer education, sewing, digital literacy, and employment training programs for rural youth and women. Initiatives like 'School on Wheels' are bringing digital education to villages.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trust provided assistance of ₹8.73 crore during the first wave and ₹2.21 crore during the second wave, along with a contribution of ₹1 crore to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. It also worked on establishing oxygen plants, providing medical assistance, and delivering rations to needy families. Somnath was declared a 'Clean Iconic Place' in 2018.

Here, vermicompost is made from temple flowers, power blocks are created from plastic waste, and approximately 3 million liters of water are recycled each month. A Miyawaki forest with 7,200 trees absorbs about 93,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide annually. In the field of women's empowerment, Somnath has become a model, with 262 women among the 906 employees of the temple trust.

Women play significant roles in everything from Bilva forest management to prasad distribution and food service. A total of 363 women have been directly employed, earning an annual income of approximately ₹9 crore.

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