Somnath: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 11, Sunday offered prayers at the Somnath temple after concluding the Shaurya Yatra. The Prime Minister also paid floral tributes to the statues of Veer Hamirji Gohil and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Veer Hamirji Gohil sacrificed his life while defending the Somnath Temple in 1299 AD during the invasion led by Zafar Khan. Earlier in the day, PM Modi took part in the Shaurya Yatra at Somnath as part of a four-day national commemoration marking 1,000 years of unbroken faith and resilience since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in January 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni.
ॐ हमारे वेदों का, शास्त्रों का, पुराणों का, उपनिषदों और वेदांत का सार है।
ॐ ही ध्यान का मूल है, और योग का आधार है।
ॐ ही साधना में साध्य है।
ॐ ही शब्द ब्रह्म का स्वरूप है।
ॐ से ही हमारे मंत्र प्रारंभ एवं पूर्ण होते हैं।
आज सोमनाथ स्वाभिमान पर्व में 1000 सेकंड्स तक ओंकार… pic.twitter.com/GqHxt8sn9y
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 10, 2026
During the procession, the Prime Minister played the conch and acknowledged the greetings of the gathered crowd. The ‘Shaurya Yatra’ is a symbolic procession organised as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. It represents courage, sacrifice and the indomitable spirit that preserved Somnath through centuries of adversity. Ahead of the yatra, 108 horses from the Gujarat Police Mounted Unit arrived to take part in the event. The horses have undergone eight months of training specifically for the Shaurya Yatra. Somnath Swabhiman Parv, held from January 8 to January 11, 2026, marks 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026.
The attack marked the start of a long period during which the temple was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Despite this, Somnath remained deeply rooted in the collective memory of the people. The repeated destruction and revival of the temple is seen as unique in world history, reflecting its continued spiritual and cultural significance. On Kartak Sud 1, Diwali day, November 12, 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited the ruins of Somnath and expressed his resolve to rebuild the temple, calling its restoration vital for restoring India’s cultural confidence. The reconstruction, carried out with public support, was completed with the consecration of the present temple on May 11, 1951, in the presence of then President Rajendra Prasad.
In 2026, the country marks 75 years since the historic consecration ceremony. Revered as the first among the 12 Aadi Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the Somnath Temple stands along the Arabian Sea with a 150-foot shikhar, symbolising enduring faith and national resolve.
Somnath is a “beacon of eternal divinity”: PM Modi
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Somnath temple as a “beacon of eternal divinity”. In an X post, PM Modi shared the highlights of his visit where he offered prayers at the Somnath temple, witnessed drone show, participated in Omkar chanting and other events of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. “Somnath stands as a beacon of eternal divinity. Its sacred presence continues to guide people across generations” PM Modi wrote on X.
Somnath stands as a beacon of eternal divinity. Its sacred presence continues to guide people across generations. Here are highlights from yesterday’s programmes, including the Omkar Mantra chanting and drone show.#SomnathSwabhimanParv pic.twitter.com/lCZxiaauMp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2026
Somnath atmosphere resonated the devotion to Shiva & patriotic spirit
Swabhiman Parv at Somnath, highlighted the faith, culture, civilisational spirit and heritage of Bharat. Before the arrival of Prime Minister Modi an atmosphere imbued with devotion to Lord Shiva and patriotic spirit prevailed in Somnath. In Veraval, ten-year-old Jinal Devendrabhai Jethwa, a Class 4 student, portrayed Bharat Mata and waved the Tricolour. Inspired by her display of patriotism, people around chanted slogans of “Har Har Mahadev” along with “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Meanwhile, artists on the stage further intensified the patriotic fervor with songs such as ‘Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge’ and ‘Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawano Ka’.
Several saints, seers and children were present to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Somnath. Sanjay Brahmbhatt of Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya in Gujarat’s Kheda said that approximately 350 students from the institution will participate in the Shaurya Yatra. “We have come from Nadiad in Kheda district. We are from Brahmarshi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya and Dahyabhai Shastri is with us, along with all his students. Around 350 students have come here and all of us will take part in the Shaurya Yatra. Our children will play the conch (shankh) and damru and we will lead the procession ahead of the horses”, he added.
(With Inputs from ANI)
