In a stirring address at Gujarat’s Somnath Temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi redefined the narrative of the Swabhiman Parv, declaring it a tribute to a 1,000-year odyssey of faith rather than a lament for past destructions. The event, inaugurated amid chants and temple bells, spotlights the shrine’s phoenix-like rebirths through history.
Somnath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, has witnessed cycles of construction and demolition. PM Modi vividly described its plunder 17 times, yet each fall birthed a fiercer resolve. ‘We gather not to mourn ruins, but to salute the eternal journey of swabhiman – self-respect,’ he proclaimed to an enthralled audience.
Delving into history, the PM recalled the 11th-century raid by Mahmud of Ghazni, which sought to shatter idols but couldn’t erase devotion. Fast-forward to 1947, when a newly independent India, led by Patel, reclaimed and reconstructed the temple – a metaphor for national unity. Today, the Swabhiman Parv extends this legacy with digital archives, heritage walks, and global outreach.
PM Modi wove in contemporary relevance, comparing Somnath’s revival to India’s economic ascent and space achievements. ‘From Kashi Vishwanath corridor to Ram Mandir, we are scripting a new chapter,’ he noted. The festival includes seminars on temple architecture, youth engagement programs, and eco-friendly pilgrim amenities.
As part of the celebrations, the PM unveiled a grand tableau depicting Somnath’s timeline and blessed a new Kalabhairav Temple expansion. Pilgrims from across the nation shared stories of personal transformation, underscoring the site’s spiritual magnetism. In conclusion, PM Modi urged citizens to draw inspiration from Somnath’s saga, fueling the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The event, live-streamed globally, has sparked social media buzz, positioning Somnath as a cornerstone of cultural nationalism and sustainable tourism.