Bhubaneswar, 11 May (H.S.): A spiritually vibrant atmosphere was witnessed at Lingaraj Temple in Ekamra Kshetra on Monday as the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parva’ was observed to mark the 75th anniversary of the restoration of the Somnath Temple. The event brought together political leaders, devotees, and cultural dignitaries, with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attending as the chief guest.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the deep spiritual and cultural connection between Somnath and Lingaraj temples, describing them as two sacred pillars symbolizing the civilizational strength of Bharat. He said that while Somnath represents the guardian of western Bharat, Lingaraj stands as the unwavering spiritual force of the East. He further noted that Somnath is not merely a temple but a powerful symbol of self-respect and civilizational pride for 1.4 billion Bharatiyas.

A special spiritual ambience was created at Ekamra Peetha when Chief Minister Majhi watched the live telecast of the grand ceremony held at Somnath Temple in Gujarat’s Prabhas Patan. The programme, conducted under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also serves as chairman of the Somnath Temple Trust, included his address to devotees and ceremonial worship rituals as part of the commemorative event.

The Chief Minister, along with devotees at the Lingaraj shrine, witnessed the live proceedings and the Prime Minister’s address with deep reverence, describing it as a spiritually uplifting experience shared with the people of Odisha.

In his address, Majhi emphasized the importance of preserving Bharatiya culture and strengthening the country’s Shaivite spiritual heritage. Recalling the historical significance of Somnath Temple, he said its restoration marked the beginning of the re-establishment of Bharatiya civilization under the leadership of Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He added that India is currently witnessing a renewed cultural resurgence under Prime Minister Modi’s visionary leadership.

Referring to historical invasions on Indian temples, the Chief Minister stated that repeated attempts were made to destroy the spiritual identity of Bharat, but the enduring faith of Sanatan traditions ensured their continuous revival. He described Somnath Temple as a timeless symbol of resilience, devotion, and civilizational continuity.

Recalling developments of 1951, Majhi said the reconstruction of Somnath Temple was possible due to Sardar Patel’s unwavering determination. He criticized earlier political opposition and ideological resistance in the name of so called secularism, stating that “New Bharat” today proudly embraces its cultural identity under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

He further stated that the Prime Minister’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” (Development along with Heritage) is clearly visible in major cultural projects such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and the construction of the Ram Mandir.

Highlighting Odisha’s development roadmap, Majhi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening the state’s cultural and spiritual infrastructure. He announced investments worth Rs 330 crore for the development of Ekamra Kshetra and Rs 1,000 crore for projects including the Shree Jagannath Museum. He said these initiatives would position Odisha as the cultural capital of Bharat.

The Chief Minister also stressed the promotion of the “Orange Economy,” a culture-driven economic model aimed at generating employment through tourism and heritage-based activities. He said the government’s focus is on creating livelihood opportunities while preserving Odisha’s rich spiritual legacy.

Concluding his speech, Majhi called upon the people of Odisha to take inspiration from Sardar Patel’s courage and Prime Minister Modi’s vision to build a “Prosperous Odisha” and a “Developed Bharat.”

Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari also addressed the gathering, highlighting India’s cultural renaissance and the significance of Shaivite traditions. He remarked that when Bharat’s self-respect faced challenges, Somnath Temple stood as a beacon of hope, adding that every stone of the land carries the legacy of history, faith, and self-confidence.

The event was attended by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Culture Secretary Dr. Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Khordha District Collector Amrit Ruturaj, along with several other dignitaries.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda