New Delhi, 09 January (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Somnath in Gujarat on January 10-11, 2026, to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a grand commemoration marking 1,000 years of the temple's unbroken spirit and civilizational continuity since Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion in 1026.

The four-day event, running from January 8-11, honors the countless warriors who sacrificed their lives defending the sacred site, which endures today as an emblem of resilience, faith, and national pride despite centuries of destructive assaults.

On the evening of January 10 at around 8 PM, the Prime Minister will join the Omkar Mantra chanting at Somnath Temple, followed by a mesmerizing drone show illuminating the temple premises.

The celebrations will feature 72 hours of continuous 'Om' chanting and the presence of hundreds of saints from across India, evoking the temple's profound cultural and spiritual legacy.

The next day, January 11, promises a poignant highlight with the Shaurya Yatra at approximately 9:45 AM—a ceremonial procession symbolizing valor and sacrifice through 108 horses parading in tribute to the temple's defenders.

Shortly after at 10:15 AM, PM Modi will perform darshan and pooja at the Somnath Temple. Culminating at around 11 AM, he will address a public function, reaffirming his steadfast commitment to preserving India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

This milestone event gains added resonance in 2026, marking 75 years since the temple's historic restoration post-independence, spearheaded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The rebuilt shrine was formally reopened to devotees in 1951 under President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, a pivotal chapter in its journey from devastation to glory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar