ON GROUND REPORTING
Anurag Kumar
Gir Somnath, 11 May:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the Somnath Temple "stands as a beacon of unwavering faith" as he participated in the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav at the sacred Somnath Temple in Gir Somnath, Gujarat.
"The Somnath Temple stands as a beacon of unwavering faith, divinity, and a sacred symbol of India’s eternal soul," said PM Modi while addressing a public rally near the temple at Sadbhavna Ground.
Recalling history, PM Modi said, "Many attacks on Somnath took place."
"A thousand years ago, the first of many attacks on Somnath took place. Those who kept engaging in such attacks believed they could shatter the ethos of our land. But they were wrong. Thanks to fiercely courageous children of Bharat Mata, Somnath kept getting rebuilt."
"Seventy-five years ago on this day, the doors of the newly rebuilt Somnath Temple opened in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, proclaiming to the world that while the attackers have faded into the dust of history, the soul of Bharat endures. Somnath stands tall and eternal. It showcases our civilisational courage and our unbroken devotion. May the blessings of Mahadev always remain upon us all," he added.
During his address, the PM also recalled how Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister, played a decisive role in the temple's reconstruction."
"In Somnath, heartfelt tributes were paid to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. His foresight and unwavering resolve played a decisive role in the temple's reconstruction. Sardar Patel's dream was that Somnath, the symbol of India's cultural legacy and spiritual continuity, would be reestablished in all its divine splendor and grandeur. We shall forever remain committed to realizing his vision for the nation," PM Modi stressed.
However, invoking the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, PM Modi said that even in matters of national pride, "politics" happens, and "Somnath" is the biggest example of it.
"After independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Rajendra Prasad tried hard to rebuild the temple, but they faced opposition from Nehru ji. Today, I will not go in-depth about it, but it was the determination of Sardar sahab that, despite such opposition, Somnath Temple was rebuilt," PM Modi stressed.
It is pertinent to mention here that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel initiated the reconstruction of the Somnath temple in November 1947. After visiting the ruins, he vowed to rebuild it. This led to the formation of a trust that oversaw the restoration, which was completed in 1951.

Before addressing the gathering, the PM performed a "grand Mahapuja".
"Obtaining the supreme fortune of the grand Mahapuja and Kumbhabhisheka at the feet of Mahadev on the majestic and divinely sacred land of Somnath is one of the most deeply emotional and unforgettable moments of life. This ethereal opportunity for the darshan and worship of Mahadev, while remembering the divine form of the people as Ishvara Janardan, has overwhelmed the heart with infinite spiritual energy, devotion, and a consciousness immersed in Shivamaya," PM Modi said.
The temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a symbol of India’s enduring faith and civilisational heritage. The mahotsav marked 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple.
On the holy occasion of the mahotsav, an awe-inspiring confluence of pride and valor unfolded in the skies as the Indian Air Force's 'Surya Kiran' aerobatic team showered the aura of saffron and tricolor with their flypast over the Somnath Temple.
The Prime Minister also released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion to mark Somnath's rich legacy and spiritual significance.
Interestingly, this is PM Modi's second visit to Somnath this year. On January 10-11, he attended the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, which marked 1,000 years since the first major attack on the temple.
Located in Prabhas Patan, Veraval, Somnath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendrabhai Patel and other ministers were present on the occasion.
UNI AKU