Varanasi, 11 May

(HS): Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Varanasi to take part in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv activities at Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The celebration, which commemorated the Somnath Temple's 1,000-year existence, featured spiritual and cultural acts commemorating Indian history.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, along with Chief Minister Yogi

Adityanath, visited the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Monday. In the temple's

sanctum sanctorum, the Governor and Chief Minister performed the Abhishekam of

the holy Jyotirlinga with holy water brought from Gujarat's famous Somnath

Temple, chanting Vedic mantras. Afterward, they prayed to Baba for prosperity

and happiness in the country and the state.

After offering

prayers at the temple, the Governor and Chief Minister participated in the

Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav held at the Trimbakeshwar Multipurpose Hall in the

temple complex. During the festival, devotees and guests will chant

Om collectively. Temple scholars and students will also blow conch

shells. Live broadcasts of the Somnath Jyotirlinga-related events were also

provided. A Parthiv Shivalinga, created by students, has been installed in the

Somnath Bhavan (circular gathering place) in the temple complex, symbolizing

the form of Lord Somnath Jyotirlinga. A collective recitation of the Somnath

Sankalp will also be held.

The Chief Minister will recite the Sankalp, and all

the devotees and guests present will recite it collectively. Cultural and

spiritual performances will also be included in the program, and the event

dedicated to Somnath Jyotirlinga will also be livestreamed. Prior to this, the

Chief Minister landed by helicopter at the helipad on the Police Line grounds,

where he was welcomed by BJP officials, public representatives, and

administrative officers.

Before arriving in Varanasi, the Chief Minister wrote

on his official account X, “Today's day will be dedicated to spiritual

consciousness, cultural pride, and the resolve for a developed India. In the

sacred city of Baba Vishwanath, Varanasi, there will be an opportunity to join

the Jyotirlinga and spiritual program under the 'Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav'

organized in the dignified presence of Hon'ble Governor Smt. @anandibenpatel

Ji. Thereafter, participation will take place in the Pran Pratishtha of the

idols of the Navnaths and the Ashtaman Bhandara program at Shri Gorakhnath

Ashram located in Baghpat (Nangal), Khokhra Bhagwanpur. At the same time, I

will be a part of the dialogue on important topics related to the global

economy, industry, and society at the CII Annual Business Summit 2026 - Vision

for India @ 100 program organized in New Delhi. Faith, spirituality, culture,

and development—these are the strong identities of the new India and the new

Uttar Pradesh.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi