PM Modi attends Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, marks 75 years of temple's reconstruction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 11 May attended the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district, marking 75 years since the reconstructed shrine was formally inaugurated in 1951. The Prime Minister called the occasion a milestone in India's civilisational journey, participating in a series of religious ceremonies at one of Hinduism's most revered pilgrimage sites.

PM Modi's Arrival and Roadshow

Ahead of the religious ceremonies, PM Modi held a roadshow in Somnath after arriving from Jamnagar, where he had stayed overnight following his arrival in Gujarat on Sunday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were also present at the roadshow.

Thousands of people gathered along the nearly 1.5-km route from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle near the temple to welcome the Prime Minister. Supporters waved flags and raised slogans as his convoy passed through the area, while artists from several states, including West Bengal, performed traditional cultural dances at designated points along the route.

Religious Ceremonies at the Temple

The Prime Minister joined the ceremonies at the temple complex, where special rituals and prayers were organised as part of the celebrations. A Kumbhabhishek ceremony was conducted using holy water brought from 11 sacred pilgrimage sites across the country. Ceremonial flag hoisting and traditional religious rites were also held amid Vedic chants and devotional prayers.

PM Modi performed rituals including jal abhishek, dhwaj puja, and maha puja at the temple. Flower petals were showered on the temple from helicopters during the ceremonies, and the temple premises were extensively decorated for the occasion, with large numbers of devotees and dignitaries in attendance.