Pithoragarh, July 12 (HS): A group of 40 devotees from Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district departed for Gujarat on Sunday to offer prayers at the Somnath Temple, the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv initiative.

Pithoragarh Mayor Kalpana Devalal and Additional District Magistrate Yogendra Singh flagged off the pilgrims and wished them a safe and successful journey.

Mayor Kalpana Devalal said the pilgrimage symbolises faith in Lord Somnath, devotion and India's rich cultural unity. She said the devotees are carrying holy water from Rameswaram in ceremonial urns, which will be offered at the Somnath

Jyotirlinga. She thanked the Uttarakhand Government and the Gujarat Tourism Department for jointly organising the pilgrimage free of cost.

Additional District Magistrate Yogendra Singh said the pilgrimage is a joint initiative of Uttarakhand Tourism and Gujarat Tourism under the Somnath Swabhiman Parv programme. He said the devotees were selected on the basis of applications received through the Tourism Department, and all travel, accommodation and food arrangements have been provided free of cost.

Deputy Director of Tourism Atul Bhandari said the group comprises 40 devotees, including seven women and 33 men. He said the initiative aims to strengthen devotion to Lord Somnath and promote India's shared cultural heritage by connecting pilgrims from different states.

Public representatives, officials and local residents showered flower petals on the devotees and extended their best wishes before the group's departure.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar