Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Somnath Swabhiman Parv on Thursday, framing the year-long observance as a powerful homage to India's enduring civilisational resilience. Launching the event via a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister shared archival photographs from a 2001 visit to the revered Somnath Temple in Gujarat, connecting past and present in a celebration of national pride and unyielding faith.
A Millennium of Resilience Remembered
In his detailed post, PM Modi anchored the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in a profound historical context. He noted that the observance begins a thousand years after the first major attack on the Somnath temple in January 1026. "The attack of 1026 and the subsequent attacks couldn't diminish the eternal faith of millions, nor break the civilisational spirit that rebuilt Somnath time and again," the Prime Minister wrote.
He described the Parv as a remembrance of the "countless children of Bharat Mata," whose principles and cultural ethos remained unshaken despite daunting challenges. The event, therefore, is positioned not just as a religious commemoration but as a national tribute to this unwavering spirit.
Echoes from 2001: A Historic Anniversary
Adding a personal and historical dimension, PM Modi shared glimpses from a program held at Somnath on October 31, 2001. That event marked the 50th anniversary of the temple's inauguration after its reconstruction. The Prime Minister recalled that the original consecration ceremony in 1951 was presided over by India's first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
He paid tribute to the pivotal efforts of freedom fighters and leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and K. M. Munshi in spearheading the temple's reconstruction. The 2001 gathering was also attended by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Home Minister L. K. Advani, highlighting the site's continued national significance across generations.
The Path Forward: Celebrations and Commemorations
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is scheduled to be observed from January 8 to January 11 with a series of programs designed to showcase India's spiritual heritage, cultural pride, and social values. Prime Minister Modi is set to personally visit the Somnath Temple in Veraval, Gujarat, on January 11 to participate in the concluding celebrations.
Looking ahead, the year 2026 holds dual significance: it will mark 1000 years since the 1026 attack and the 75th anniversary (Amrit Mahotsav) of the 1951 inauguration ceremony. The current Parv sets the stage for these forthcoming milestones, reinforcing the narrative of Somnath as a timeless symbol of India's capacity for renewal and its profound civilisational continuity.
