CM Bhupendra Patel: PM Modi to join Narmada Aarti at Ekta Nagar
Synopsis
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced that PM Narendra Modi will attend the Narmada Aarti at the newly redeveloped Shoolpaneshwar Ghat in Ekta Nagar on 30 October 2026. The ghat, clad in red sandstone with capacity for 6,000 devotees, marks a major push for spiritual tourism near the Statue of Unity.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will participate in the Narmada Aarti at Shoolpaneshwar Ghat, Ekta Nagar on the evening of 30 October 2026 .
The redeveloped ghat can accommodate 6,000 devotees simultaneously, with seating for approximately 2,000 .
Infrastructure includes red sandstone architecture, carved railings, spiritual murals, a large Lord Shiva idol , and an open-air amphitheatre-style seating area.
Ekta Nagar in Narmada district, Gujarat is home to the Statue of Unity , inaugurated in October 2018 and dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel .
The ghat is part of Gujarat's broader effort to build spiritual-tourism infrastructure alongside the Statue of Unity heritage circuit.
A riverside ghat reborn in red sandstone and sacred light — Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Thursday, 29 October 2026 that the newly redeveloped Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat at Ekta Nagar is ready to receive its most significant visitor yet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will participate in the evening Narmada Aarti at the site on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Writing 'Narmade Sarvade!' — a traditional salutation to the sacred river — CM Patel described the ghat as now radiating 'the light of faith in a new, divine and grand form.' The post paints a vivid picture: the rippling waves of the Narmada River, the blessings of Lord Shoolpani Shiva, and the towering presence of the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — all converging at a single point of pilgrimage.
What the redeveloped ghat now offers
The scale of the redevelopment is notable. According to CM Patel's post, the ghat can now accommodate 6,000 devotees simultaneously for the evening aarti, with seating for approximately 2,000. A dedicated courtyard for the evening ceremony and an open-air amphitheatre-style seating arrangement are designed to make the spiritual experience, in the CM's words, 'even more transcendent.'
The aesthetic choices are deliberate and rooted in regional tradition. Red sandstone facings, carved railings, spiritual murals, and a large idol of Lord Shiva define the ghat's visual identity. All-season access routes and reinforced riverbank protection round out the infrastructure, addressing both safety and accessibility for pilgrims across weather conditions.
Ekta Nagar's rise as a spiritual-tourism destination
Ekta Nagar, in Narmada district, Gujarat, was established as a major tourism hub following the inauguration of the Statue of Unity in October 2018. Gujarat has steadily layered spiritual and cultural experiences onto the site's drawing power — riverfront ghats, aarti infrastructure, and heritage amenities — transforming what began as a monument-centric destination into a broader pilgrimage circuit.
The Narmada holds deep religious significance across central and western India, and aarti ceremonies on its banks have long drawn large gatherings. The redeveloped ghat now brings the scale and ceremonial infrastructure of famous riverfront sites to Ekta Nagar, positioning it as a self-contained destination for faith-based tourism.
When the lamps flicker across the Narmada's surface Friday evening, with the Prime Minister present and a capacity crowd bearing witness, Shoolpaneshwar Ghat will make its case as Gujarat's newest — and most ambitiously designed — tirth.
Point of View
Anchoring a high-profile spiritual event to Ekta Nagar reinforces Gujarat's identity as a model for faith-based infrastructure development. The scale of the ghat — 6,000 devotees, amphitheatre seating, all-season access — signals that the state sees spiritual tourism as a serious economic and cultural priority, not merely a ceremonial gesture.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat in Ekta Nagar?
The Shoolpaneshwar Narmada Ghat is a newly redeveloped riverfront pilgrimage site at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district, located near the Statue of Unity. It features red sandstone architecture, carved railings, spiritual murals, a large Shiva idol, and infrastructure for large-scale evening aarti ceremonies.
When will PM Modi attend the Narmada Aarti at Ekta Nagar?
According to CM Bhupendra Patel's post, PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the Narmada Aarti at Shoolpaneshwar Ghat on the evening of 30 October 2026.
How many people can attend the Narmada Aarti at the redeveloped ghat?
The redeveloped Shoolpaneshwar Ghat can accommodate up to 6,000 devotees at one time for the evening aarti, with seating arrangements for approximately 2,000 of them.
Where is Ekta Nagar and why is it significant?
Ekta Nagar is a town in Narmada district, Gujarat, developed as a tourism hub around the Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated in October 2018.
What is the significance of the Narmada River in Hinduism?
The Narmada River is one of India's most sacred rivers, revered in Hindu tradition. Evening aarti ceremonies on its banks are a long-standing religious practice that draws large numbers of pilgrims from across central and western India.
