Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday, 15 July announced he will personally travel to the Somnath Temple to perform the 'Swabhiman Parv Vishesh Mahapuja' — a pledge he made on his 65th birthday after joining the special worship ceremony virtually. Patel had sought the blessings of Somnath Mahadev, the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas, through an online ceremony earlier in the day and formally registered for the Mahapuja.

The Birthday Pledge

Sharing the announcement on social media platform X, Chief Minister Patel said: “Today, on my birthday, I was fortunate to virtually seek the blessings of the first Jyotirling, Shri Somnath Mahadev, and participate in the Mahapuja. The Rudrabhishek and special puja of Shri Somnath Mahadev (performed by the temple trust’s priests) were deeply sacred moments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also registered for the special Mahapuja under the Swabhiman Parv initiated at Somnath. I have decided to personally visit the Temple for this Mahapuja and seek the blessings of Mahadev.”

What Is the Somnath Swabhiman Parv

The 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' is being observed in a year of exceptional historical weight for the shrine — marking 1,000 years since the 1026 attack on Somnath and 75 years since the inauguration of the reconstructed temple in 1951. As part of the commemorative programme, Prime Minister Modi launched the 'Millennial Host' campaign, under which the Vishesh Mahapuja has been introduced. Modi urged every Indian to visit the temple, saying: “At Somnath, you will experience the undefeated spirit of India, which has kept its identity and culture intact despite every setback.”

Rituals and Schedule

The Shri Somnath Trust has organised a day-long Vishesh Mahapuja allowing devotees to participate in a series of religious rituals from morning to evening. Proceedings begin with a sankalp at 8 am, followed by Dhwaja Puja and Dhwaja Parikrama accompanied by traditional music. A special abhishek of Somnath Mahadev is performed using milk, grains, and Ganga Jal, followed by the offering of ceremonial garments, a Rudraksh mala, Janoi, Akhand Shringar for Maa Parvati, and 1,008 Bilva leaves to Mahadev.

The programme also includes Nandi and Gau Pujan at the Somnath Trust gaushala, where Brahmins chant 1,000 Mahamrityunjay mantras, followed by Rajbhog Darshan, Brahmin Bhojan, and the concluding Deepmala Darshan before the evening aarti. Names of registered hosts are announced during the Mahapuja, with ritual offerings placed on separate silver plates before the puja is conducted in the Sabha Mandap.

Arrangements for Devotees

Participants are provided accommodation at Sagar Darshan, along with meals, refreshments, and the traditional attire required for the rituals. The Trust has also arranged a live online link for devotees unable to attend in person. Free transport has been arranged from Veraval railway station for hosts arriving by the two scheduled trains between 6 am and 7 am. Registration for the Vishesh Mahapuja is open through the Shri Somnath Trust's official website.

Broader Significance

The Swabhiman Parv arrives at a moment when the Somnath temple holds renewed cultural and political salience. This is the first major commemorative milestone since the temple's post-independence reconstruction, and the Modi government's active participation signals the Centre's continued emphasis on heritage revival. The dual milestone — a millennium since the medieval attack and three-quarters of a century since reconstruction — lends the occasion a resonance that extends well beyond routine religious observance.