Ahmedabad, Jan 7 (NationPress) The spokesperson for the Gujarat Government, Jitu Vaghani, announced on Wednesday that the state is preparing for the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’. This event will take place from January 8 to 11, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vaghani emphasized that this celebration, centered around the country’s first Jyotirlinga, aims to honor “the steadfast faith and dignity of Indian culture.”

Under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, the entire state apparatus has been activated to ensure the festival's success.

He highlighted that the festival marks two significant anniversaries: 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack on the Somnath temple in 1026 and 75 years since Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel began reconstructing the temple. Vaghani referred to this as a “double coincidence,” stating that the celebrations will remind the nation of the temple’s “legacy of courage and resilience.”

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Somnath on January 10 at 5:30 p.m. and will offer prayers at the temple the following morning. He will also pay tribute at the statue of Sardar Patel located outside the shrine. Following this, he will participate in a grand Shaurya Yatra and a roadshow, where he is expected to convey a message of cultural unity, as noted by Vaghani.

A highlight of the festival will be a spectacular drone show featuring 3,000 drones, touted as one of the largest ever, showcasing the history and architectural magnificence of Somnath.

The Shaurya Yatra, dedicated to the defenders of the temple through the ages, will showcase 108 horses and will proceed from Shankh Circle to Hamirji Gohil Circle. Vaghani disclosed that four special trains will operate daily from Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara on January 8, 9, and 10 to accommodate the devotees. Inside the temple complex, 2,500 sages will engage in a continuous Om chanting session for 72 hours, accompanied by 1,000 artists performing conch-blowing rituals.

The venue will feature 20 stages for devotional music, folk dance, and cultural performances. The local administration has arranged for accommodations, meals, and darshan facilities for visiting pilgrims.

Vaghani remarked that the Somnath Corridor, established under PM Modi's guidance, has significantly enhanced tourism and economic development in the area. “Like Ayodhya, Kashi, and Dwarka, Somnath is evolving into a global spiritual destination,” he said, inviting citizens nationwide to partake in the festivities.