Dehradun, July 19 (HS): The special train carrying pilgrims participating in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv Yatra from Gujarat returned to Uttarakhand on Sunday morning, marking the successful conclusion of the week-long religious and cultural pilgrimage.

The special train arrived at Harrawala railway station, from where most pilgrims proceeded to Haridwar before departing for their respective destinations across Kumaon, Garhwal and Haridwar districts. Pilgrims associated with Patanjali, Gayatri Teerth Shantikunj and Parmarth Niketan also continued their onward journeys from Haridwar.

Participants said the pilgrimage offered them an opportunity to visit several prominent religious and historical sites, including the Somnath Temple, Ram Temple, Gita Mandir (Shri Golokdham Teerth), Ban Ganga, Bhalka Tirth, Triveni Sangam and the Somnath Museum.

On the occasion of the Harela festival, the pilgrims also participated in a plantation drive at the Sharda Peeth campus.

The pilgrims expressed gratitude to the Gujarat Government and the Uttarakhand Department of Culture for organising the yatra, describing it as a spiritually enriching and memorable experience that fostered cultural unity and devotion.

Around 700 pilgrims had departed from Harrawala railway station on July 13 aboard the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' special train after being flagged off on behalf of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. During the pilgrimage, they visited Somnath and several other revered religious sites before returning to Uttarakhand on Sunday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar