Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the historic Shaurya Yatra at the revered Somnath Temple in Gujarat, marking 1,000 years since the invasion of the sacred shrine by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1026. The event was organised as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv to honour the countless people who sacrificed their lives to protect one of India’s most important spiritual and cultural landmarks.
The coastal town of Somnath witnessed a powerful blend of devotion, pride, and remembrance as a ceremonial procession of 108 horses moved through the yatra route, symbolising valour, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. Thousands of devotees gathered along the one-kilometre stretch from Shankh Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle to catch a glimpse of the Prime Minister.
Standing on a specially designed vehicle, PM Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, greeted the crowd as flower petals were showered on the procession. Young priests, known as rushi kumars, walked beside the vehicle while playing the damru, the sacred instrument associated with Lord Shiva, adding a deeply spiritual tone to the event.
Cultural performances by artists from different parts of the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, brought colour and energy to the occasion. Their traditional dances reflected India’s rich heritage and the unity of its people as the yatra moved forward.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said Somnath’s history is not one of defeat but of revival and strength. He noted that for centuries, invaders believed they had destroyed the temple through force, yet Somnath has continued to stand as a living symbol of faith. He remarked that those who attacked the temple are now confined to history, while Somnath remains a beacon of spiritual and cultural endurance.
PM Modi also highlighted that 1,000 students had performed 72 hours of continuous Omkar chanting as part of the millennium-long remembrance, turning the occasion into a deeply spiritual observance.
At Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle, the Prime Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Hamirji Gohil, the warrior who laid down his life in 1299 while defending Somnath against invading forces. He later honoured Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statue stands near the temple entrance, recognising Patel’s crucial role in restoring the temple after Independence. Somnath was formally reopened to devotees in 1951 due to Patel’s efforts.
Following the yatra, PM Modi offered prayers inside the ancient Somnath Temple and participated in a special puja amid Vedic chants by the chief priest. The ceremony marked a solemn and meaningful conclusion to a day that celebrated India’s spiritual heritage and historical resilience.
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv served as a reminder that the temple’s legacy goes beyond its physical structure. It represents a thousand-year journey of faith, resistance, and renewal, reinforcing Somnath’s enduring place in the heart of the nation.