Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today extended greetings to the nation on the commencement of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, recalling the timeless civilisational spirit that has kept Somnath alive in the hearts of millions for over a millennium.

Shri Modi noted that in January 1026, Somnath faced its first attack. Despite repeated assaults in subsequent centuries, the eternal faith of devotees and the civilisational resolve of Bharat ensured that Somnath was rebuilt time and again. He said, “Somnath Swabhiman Parv is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata who never compromised with their principles and ethos. However daunting the times were, their resolve remained unshaken and their commitment to our ethos unwavering.”

The Prime Minister shared glimpses from his previous visits to Somnath and invited citizens to join the celebration by sharing their own memories using #SomnathSwabhimanParv. He recalled the programme held on 31st October 2001, which marked 50 years since the rebuilt Somnath Temple opened its doors in 1951 in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The efforts of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, KM Munshi and several others were highlighted as pivotal in the temple’s reconstruction. The 2001 programme also coincided with the 125th Jayanti of Sardar Patel, and was attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani, and several other dignitaries.

Looking ahead, Prime Minister Modi underscored that 2026 marks 75 years since the grand ceremony of 1951, when Somnath Temple was rededicated to the nation. He affirmed, “This milestone is not just about the temple’s reconstruction, but about the indomitable spirit of our civilisation that continues to inspire generations.”

In separate thread posts on X, Shri Modi wrote:

“Jai Somnath! 

Somnath Swabhiman Parv begins today. A thousand years ago, in January 1026, Somnath faced its first ever attack. The attack of 1026 and the subsequent attacks couldn’t diminish the eternal faith of millions, nor break the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath time and again.

I’m sharing some pictures from my previous visits to Somnath. If you have been there too, share them using #SomnathSwabhimanParv.”

“#SomnathSwabhimanParv is about remembering the countless children of Bharat Mata, who never compromised with their principles and ethos. However daunting the times were, their resolve remained unshaken and their commitment to our ethos unwavering.”

“Here are some glimpses of a programme held in Somnath on 31st October 2001. This was the year when we marked 50 years since the rebuilt Somnath Temple opened its doors in 1951 in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The efforts of Sardar Patel, KM Munshi and several others were noteworthy. It was also when the 125th Jayanti of Sardar Patel was being marked. The programme of 2001 was attended by then Prime Minister Atal Ji, Home Minister Advani Ji and several other dignitaries. 

In 2026, we mark 75 years since the grand ceremony of 1951!”

“जय सोमनाथ !

सोमनाथ स्वाभिमान पर्व का आज से शुभारंभ हो रहा है। एक हजार वर्ष पूर्व, जनवरी 1026 में सोमनाथ मंदिर ने अपने इतिहास का पहला आक्रमण झेला था। साल 1026 का आक्रमण और उसके बाद हुए अनेक हमले भी हमारी शाश्वत आस्था को डिगा नहीं सके। बल्कि इनसे भारत की सांस्कृतिक एकता की भावना और सशक्त हुई और सोमनाथ का बार-बार पुनरोद्धार होता रहा। 

मैं सोमनाथ की अपनी पिछली यात्राओं की कुछ तस्वीरें साझा कर रहा हूं। यदि आप भी सोमनाथ गए हैं, तो अपनी तस्वीरें #SomnathSwabhimanParv के साथ जरूर शेयर करें।”

“#SomnathSwabhimanParv का ये अवसर, भारत माता के उन असंख्य सपूतों को स्मरण करने का पर्व है, जिन्होंने कभी अपने सिद्धांतों और मूल्यों से समझौता नहीं किया। समय कितना ही कठिन और भयावह क्यों ना रहा हो, उनका संकल्प हमेशा अडिग रहा। हमारी सभ्यता और सांस्कृतिक चेतना के प्रति उनकी निष्ठा अटूट रही। अटूट आस्था के एक हजार वर्ष का ये अवसर, हमें राष्ट्र की एकता के लिए निरंतर प्रयासरत रहने की प्रेरणा देता है।”

“मैं 31 अक्टूबर 2001 को सोमनाथ में आयोजित एक कार्यक्रम की कुछ झलकियां भी आपसे साझा कर रहा हूं। यह वो साल था, जब हमने 1951 में पुनर्निर्मित सोमनाथ मंदिर के उद्घाटन के 50 वर्ष पूर्ण होने का उत्सव मनाया था। 1951 में वो ऐतिहासिक समारोह तत्कालीन राष्ट्रपति डॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद जी की मौजूदगी में संपन्न हुआ था। सोमनाथ मंदिर के पुनर्निर्माण में सरदार पटेल और केएम मुंशी जी के साथ ही कई महान विभूतियों के प्रयास अत्यंत उल्लेखनीय रहे हैं। साल 2001 के इस कार्यक्रम में तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री अटल जी और गृह मंत्री आडवाणी जी और कई गणमान्य लोग शामिल हुए थे। 

वर्ष 2026 में हम 1951 में हुए भव्य समारोह के 75 वर्ष पूर्ण होने का भी स्मरण कर रहे हैं!”

Sharing a Sanskrit verse on X, Shri Modi stated:

“श्री सोमनाथ महादेव की कृपा और आशीर्वाद से सबका कल्याण हो।

सौराष्ट्रदेशे विशदेऽतिरम्ये ज्योतिर्मयं चन्द्रकलावतंसम्।

भक्तिप्रदानाय कृपावतीर्णं तं सोमनाथं शरणं प्रपद्ये॥”

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MJPS/SR