PM Modi releases ₹75 coin, stamp at Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marking 75 years
Synopsis
PM Modi marked 75 years of the reconstructed Somnath Temple by releasing a 99.9% pure silver ₹75 coin and a commemorative stamp, while participating in Kumbhabhishek rituals — blending statecraft with spiritual symbolism at one of Hinduism's most historically contested shrines.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi released a ₹75 silver coin and commemorative stamp at the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav on 11 May 2026 .
The coin is made of 99.9% pure silver , weighs 40 grams , and has a diameter of 44 mm with 200 serrations .
The reverse features the Somnath Temple and references 1,000 years of India's faith and devotion.
The mahotsav marks 75 years since President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the reconstructed temple in 1951 , following restoration backed by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel .
The Indian Air Force's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team performed an aerial display as part of the celebrations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 11 May released a commemorative postage stamp and a special ₹75 silver coin at the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations in Gir Somnath district, Gujarat, marking 75 years since the consecration of the reconstructed Somnath Temple. The unveilings followed the Prime Minister's participation in the Kumbhabhishek and Dhwaj Puja rituals at the temple and were accompanied by a public address to thousands of devotees and visitors gathered from across the country.
The Commemorative Coin and Stamp
The ₹75 commemorative coin, issued under official notifications by the Ministry of Finance, is struck in 99.9% pure silver, weighs 40 grams, and measures 44 millimetres in diameter with 200 serrations along its edge. The obverse carries the Lion Capital of Ashoka alongside the inscription
Point of View
And Modi's high-profile participation, complete with a Ministry of Finance-issued coin referencing '1,000 years of unwavering faith', reinforces that framing. The choice to hold a roadshow, invite an IAF aerobatic display, and issue sovereign currency instruments at a temple event signals a deliberate blurring of the line between state occasion and religious celebration — a pattern that critics of such events consistently flag, even as supporters argue it reclaims a civilisational heritage long underacknowledged by the state.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav?
The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav is a celebration marking 75 years since India's first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, inaugurated the reconstructed Somnath Temple in 1951, following restoration efforts supported by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The event commemorates both the temple's modern revival and its 1,000-year legacy of religious significance.
What are the details of the ₹75 commemorative coin released by PM Modi?
The ₹75 coin is made of 99.9% pure silver, weighs 40 grams, and has a diameter of 44 millimetres with 200 serrations on its edge. Its obverse features the Lion Capital of Ashoka with 'Satyameva Jayate', while the reverse shows the Somnath Temple and the inscription '1000 Years of India's Unwavering Faith and Devotion'.
Why was a commemorative stamp also released at the event?
The commemorative postage stamp was released to highlight the Somnath Temple's historical and spiritual importance in Indian civilisation, alongside the coin, as part of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the temple's consecration.
Who attended the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations?
The celebrations were attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, saints, temple trustees, senior officials, and thousands of devotees from across the country. The Indian Air Force's Suryakiran Aerobatic Team also performed an aerial display.
What rituals did PM Modi participate in at Somnath Temple?
PM Modi participated in the Kumbhabhishek and Dhwaj Puja ceremonies at the Somnath Temple before addressing the public gathering where the coin and stamp were unveiled. He also held a roadshow in Somnath earlier in the day.
