The Somnath Swabhiman Parv commenced on Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of the consecration ceremony of the Jyotirlinga at the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat, ushering in a series of spiritual, cultural, and social programmes planned across the year.
The observance recalls the long and resilient history of the Somnath Temple and its significance in India’s civilisational narrative. As part of the milestone, various events are scheduled between January 8 and January 11, with year-long activities to follow under the central theme “Unbroken Faith”.
A popular social media handle, Modi Archive, shared archival images from 2001 when the temple marked the golden jubilee of the consecration ceremony. The event was attended by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Union Home Minister L.K. Advani, and was overseen by the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the post, the concluding event of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations was held on October 31, 2001. The date coincided with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who had envisioned the renovation of the Somnath Temple in 1951. The post highlighted the historical context of the occasion and its connection to the leaders who played key roles in the temple’s reconstruction.
During the 2001 event, then Chief Minister Narendra Modi recalled the contributions of national leaders such as Dr Rajendra Prasad and Kanhaiyalal Maniklal Munshi, emphasising their resolve and commitment in restoring the Somnath Temple. In an address described as emotive, he said the temple symbolised the conscience of the nation and remembered those who had sacrificed their lives to protect the first of the 12 Jyotirlingas from foreign invasions.
The commencement of Somnath Swabhiman Parv this year also commemorates 1,000 years since the temple faced its first recorded attack in 1026, highlighting its endurance through centuries of destruction and reconstruction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion by extending greetings to the nation through a post on X. He reflected on the enduring civilisational spirit that has sustained the Somnath Temple in public consciousness for over a millennium. He also shared photographs from his earlier visits to the temple and encouraged citizens to participate in the celebrations by sharing their memories.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit the Somnath Temple on Sunday, where he will take part in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv celebrations.
Officials said the ongoing observance aims to underline the temple’s role as a symbol of resilience, cultural continuity, and national unity. The year-long programmes at Somnath are expected to include a range of spiritual and social initiatives, reinforcing the message of faith and perseverance associated with the historic shrine.
