New Delhi, 11 January (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cap the four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv with a series of poignant ceremonies today on Sunday, January 11, honoring the timeless valor of warriors who defended the iconic Somnath Temple against historical invasions.The day's program commences at approximately 9:45 AM with the Shaurya Yatra, a majestic ceremonial procession symbolizing unyielding courage and sacrifice.

This evocative event will feature a procession of 108 horses—each representing a warrior's spirit—marching through the temple precincts to commemorate the countless defenders who laid down their lives over centuries to protect this sacred site.

Following the yatra, the Prime Minister will proceed at around 10:15 AM to perform darshan and pooja at the Somnath Temple, immersing himself in rituals that evoke the shrine's profound spiritual legacy.

By 11:00 AM, he will participate in and deliver an address at a grand public function in Somnath, engaging directly with devotees and dignitaries to underscore the temple's role as a beacon of national pride.

Organized from January 8 to 11, 2026, the Somnath Swabhiman Parv serves as a nationwide tribute to the indomitable citizens whose sacrifices continue to shape India's cultural ethos. This milestone event marks precisely 1,000 years since the infamous 1026 invasion by Mahmud of Ghazni, who sought to plunder the temple's legendary wealth.

Despite relentless assaults across epochs—spanning 17 documented destructions—the Somnath Temple endures today as an unassailable emblem of resilience, faith, and collective resolve.Post-independence reconstruction efforts, spearheaded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, breathed new life into the shrine.

A pivotal chapter unfolded in 1951 when President Dr. Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the restored temple for devotees, a moment now celebrated at 75 years amid this parv. The festivities further enrich with the presence of hundreds of saints from across India and an unbroken 72-hour chanting of 'Om' within the temple grounds, fostering a profound atmosphere of devotion.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar