Somnath Swabhiman Parv: PM Modi takes part in 'Shaurya Yatra' in Somnath | Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Phase 2 of the Ahmedabad Metro, connecting Sector 10A to Mahatma Mandir.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for 13 greenfield smart Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation Limited estates at Rajkot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India is moving rapidly to become developed nation, reforms playing crucial role in achieving this objective.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for 13 greenfield smart Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation Limited estates at Rajkot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he does not see this as another summit but a journey of a modern 21st-century India.

"Whenever the stage is set for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, I do not see it as just another summit. I see the journey of a modern 21st-century India, a journey that began with a dream and has today reached a stage of unwavering confidence. So far, ten editions of this summit have been held, and with each edition, both the identity and the role of the summit have grown stronger," he said.

Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone for 13 greenfield smart Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation Limited estates at Rajkot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is the world’s fastest-growing large economy and the inflation is under control in the country.

"Agricultural production in India is setting new records, and the country ranks number one in milk production. India is also the world’s largest producer of vaccines. India’s growth reflects the success story of the mantra of reform, perform and transform. Over the past 11 years, India has become the world’s largest consumer of mobile data," he said.

Rajkot: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions.

CM Bhupendra Patel and Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi felicitate PM Narendra Modi at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra region. Chairman & Managing Director of Reliance Industries Limited, Mukesh Ambani is also present.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for Kutch and Saurashtra region. CM Bhupendra Patel and Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi were also present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that forces that opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in Gujarat after Independence are still active, warning that India must remain vigilant, united, and strong to counter them. Addressing the Somnath Swabhiman Parv to mark 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion of the Somnath temple in 1026, PM Modi said the temple's history is not one of destruction or defeat, but of victory and renewal.  READ

Those forces that had tried to obstruct rebuilding of Somnath temple are still present among us, said PM Modi.

Addressing a gathering at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, PM Modi said, "In our civilisation, the path of faith doesn't lead to hatred. Power doesn’t give us the arrogance to destroy. Somnath has taught us that creativity has a long path, and that is its permanence. Civilisations that tried to move forward by erasing others get lost in time. Thus, Bharat never taught the world how to be victorious by defeating others but by winning hearts."

After independence, there was an attempt to make people forget this history of our country: PM Modi at Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

Addressing a gathering at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, PM Modi said, "It's the justice of time that those who intended to destroy Somnath, those religious maniacs, have been confined to some history pages, but Somnath is touching the sky with a Dharma Dhwaja…"

From Ghazni to Aurangzeb, all religious fundamentalists thought that by their sword they had won Somnath: PM Modi.

Addressing a gathering at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, PM Modi said, "When Somnath Swabhiman Yatra is completing 1000 years, it also marks 75 years of its restoration in 1951. This Parv is not of the destruction that happened 1000 years back, but of this long journey. At every step, on every achievement, we see a unique similarity in India’s journey and Somnath. In the same way, many efforts were made to destroy Somnath, similarly, the foreign invaders made continuous efforts to destroy our country. But neither Somnath was destroyed, nor Bharat."

Addressing a gathering at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, PM Modi said, "In 1026, Ghazni was the first to attack Somnath Temple; he thought he had diminished Somnath, but over the years, it was rebuilt. In the 12th century, Raja Kumarpal built a grand temple. In the 13th century, Alauddin Khilji attacked Somnath. In the early 14th century, the King of Junagarh restored it. Later in the 14th century, Muzaffar Khan attacked Somnath but failed. In the 15th century, Sultan Ahmed Shah tried to pollute the temple, and his grandson attempted to convert it into a mosque, yet with Mahadev’s blessings, the temple rose again. During Aurangzeb’s time, he tried to desecrate it, but Ahilyabai Holkar rebuilt and restored the temple. Somnath's history is not of destruction and defeat but of victory, restoration, and the valor and sacrifice of our ancestors. Religious terrorism continued to attack, yet in every era, Somnath continued to rise."

Somnath's tale is the story of India; foreign invaders tried to destroy India many times, like this temple, but they failed, said PM Modi.

Somnath Swabhiman Parv is a showcase of India's existence and pride, said PM Modi.

Invaders thought they had won by destroying the temple, but 1,000 years later, the flag of Somnath is still flying high, said PM Modi.

Our ancestors had staked their lives for Somnath temple 1,000 years ago, says PM Modi at Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

PM Narendra Modi said, "This time, this atmosphere, and this occasion are divine. I am fortunate that I got this chance to serve this occasion as a trustee of the Somnath Temple Trust."

Addressing a gathering at the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations, PM Modi said, "When I am interacting with you, the question arises again and again - exactly 1000 years back, at the same place, what would have been the atmosphere? Those present here, your ancestors, our ancestors, bet their lives for their faith, for their belief, for Mahadev - they sacrificed everything they had. A thousand years back, the invaders thought they had defeated us, but today, even after 1000 years, the flag hoisting at Somnath Mahadev Mandir shows the power of India and its capabilities to the entire world."

Seventy-two hours of continuous chanting of 'Omkar' conducted here by 1,000 students, PM Modi said, addressing Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations.

Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi said, "Today's shaurya yatra led by the Prime Minister will be remembered for years to come. The chants of 'Aum Namah Shivaay' reached every corner of the country. Somnath is not an ordinary temple. It is a challenge given by India's soul to the invaders. Ghaznavi is no more, but Somnath still stands undefeated. There was a time when even after independence, we were told not to talk about history, faith, and suppress our culture. When it came to the redevelopment of Somnath, people feared the opinion of the world. Under PM Narendra Modi's leadership, India has now decided to stop the glorification of invaders and celebrate our culture and history."

CM Bhupendra Patel and Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi felicitate PM Narendra Modi in Somnath, during the ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

PM Narendra Modi leaves from Somnath Temple after concluding the 'Shaurya Yatra' and offering prayers.

As part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Shree Somnath Mandir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tries his hand on traditional drums, joining in the devotional rhythms.

PM Narendra Modi interacts with artists in attendance, after offering prayers at Somnath Temple.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets seers, saints, and devotees after offering prayers and performing puja at Shree Somnath Mandir.

After offering prayers and performing puja at Shree Somnath Mandir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi listens to the chants of mantras by the ‘Baal Gurus’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed aarti at Shree Somnath Mandir.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed puja at Shree Somnath Mandir as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Shree Somnath Mandir to offer prayers as he attends the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations.

During his Shaurya Yatra at Somnath Swabhiman Parv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a key role in the restoration of the Somnath Temple.

PM Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to the statue of Veer Hamirji Gohil, who sacrificed his life defending the Somnath Temple in 1299 A.D. from Zafar Khan's invasion.

During his Shaurya Yatra in Somnath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bowed before and paid floral tributes to those who sacrificed their lives protecting Somnath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'shaurya yatra' underway in Somnath, as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, which is being celebrated from 8-11 January.  

Thousands of devotees thronged the Somnath temple complex on Saturday, staying out well past midnight, braving winter chills, as dazzling fireworks, decorations and a drone show combined with religious fervour drew an unprecedented crowd to the ancient shrine. The crowd, which peaked late in the evening shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the temple as part of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, included people of all ages, local residents as well as long-distance travellers. Modi on Saturday evening participated in 'Omkar Mantra' chanting at the Somnath temple, had 'darshan', and also witnessed a grand drone show featuring an assemblage of 3,000 drones, matching the scale of the gathering on ground. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday summarised day one of his Somnath visit, describing the temple as a "beacon of eternal divinity." In an X post, PM Modi shared the highlights of his visit where he offered prayers at the Somnath temple, witnessed drone show, participated in Omkar chanting and other events of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. "Somnath stands as a beacon of eternal divinity. Its sacred presence continues to guide people across generations. Here are highlights from yesterday's programmes, including the Omkar Mantra chanting and drone show," PM Modi wrote on X.

On 11 January, at around 9:45 am, Prime Minister will participate in Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession organised to honour the countless warriors who laid down their lives defending the Somnath Temple. The Shaurya Yatra will feature a symbolic procession of 108 horses, reflecting valour and sacrifice. Thereafter, at around 10:15 am Prime Minister will perform Darshan and Pooja at the Somnath Temple. At around 11 am, the Prime Minister will participate in and address a public function in Somnath.

The Somnath Swabhiman Parv, being held from 8 to 11 January 2026, is organised at Somnath. It is being held to remember the countless citizens of India whose sacrifice to defend the Temple continues to inspire the cultural consciousness of future generations.

The programme marks 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s invasion of the Somnath Temple in the year 1026. Despite multiple repeated attempts for its destruction over centuries, the Somnath Temple stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience, faith, and national pride, owing to the collective resolve and efforts to restore it to its ancient glory.

After independence, the effort for restoration of the Temple was undertaken by Sardar Patel. One of the most important milestones in this journey of revival was achieved in 1951, when the restored Somnath Temple was formally opened to devotees in the presence of the then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The completion of 75 years of this historic restoration in 2026 adds special significance to the Somnath Swabhiman Parv.

The celebrations will witness the participation of hundreds of saints from across the country, along with 72 hours of continuous chanting of ‘Om’ within the temple premises. Prime Minister's participation in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv underscores the enduring spirit of India’s civilisation and reaffirms his commitment to preserve and celebrate India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds 'Shaurya Yatra', a symbolic procession organised as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. CM Bhupendra Patel and Dy CM Harsh Sanghavi are also present. The Shaurya Yatra represents courage, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit that preserved Somnath through centuries of adversity.