Gandhinagar, July 15: On his 65th birthday, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed prayers at the Somnath Mahadev temple and made a commitment. He registered for a special ritual under the ‘Somnath Swabhimaan Parv’ initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sharing details on the social media platform ‘X’, Chief Minister Patel expressed his gratitude for receiving blessings from the first Jyotirlinga, Shri Somnath Mahadev, and participating in the grand ritual. He described the Rudrabhishek and special prayers conducted by the temple trust’s priests as profoundly sacred moments. The Chief Minister also noted that Prime Minister Modi has registered for the special ritual at Somnath as part of the Swabhimaan Parv. He personally decided to visit the temple to seek blessings from Mahadev.
This year holds historical significance for the Somnath temple, marking 1,000 years since the violent attack on the temple in 1026 and the 75th anniversary of its inauguration in 1951. To commemorate this inspiring saga and preserve its legacy for future generations, Prime Minister Modi launched the ‘Millennial Host’ campaign. This initiative includes a special ritual under the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv.
Prime Minister Modi stated that visiting Somnath allows one to experience India’s indomitable spirit, which has maintained its identity and culture despite numerous challenges. He urged every Indian to visit the sacred Somnath Dham on this auspicious occasion and witness its grandeur. Standing on the shores of Somnath, one can feel its ancient resonance. There, visitors will not only experience devotion but also the powerful heartbeat of a civilization that has never ceased and whose intensity has never waned. They will understand why, despite countless efforts, our civilization has persisted. Visitors will experience the vision of eternal victory that has been India’s strength for centuries. He believes it will be an unforgettable experience for all.
The Shri Somnath Trust has organized a ‘Special Mahapuja’ under the Somnath Swabhimaan Parv. This special ritual offers devotees a divine opportunity to spend the entire day in the sacred presence of Somnath Mahadev. As part of this unwavering faith celebration, devotees can participate in various religious ceremonies from morning till evening.
The day spent in the presence of Mahadev begins in a serene morning atmosphere. The Mahapuja starts at 8:00 AM with a commitment, followed by flag worship from 8:10 AM to 8:30 AM. From 8:35 AM to 8:50 AM, a flag circumambulation occurs amidst the auspicious sounds of drums and shehnai. A special abhishek of Somnath Mahadev is performed with milk, grains, and Ganga water. Priests adorn Mahadev with a dhoti, upper garment, rudraksha mala, and janoi, while Mother Parvati is offered a saree and continuous adornment. Additionally, Mahadev is presented with 1,008 bilva leaves.
From 9:50 AM to 10:00 AM, cow worship and servant worship take place at the Shri Somnath Trust’s gaushala. During this ritual, priests chant 1,000 Mahamrityunjaya mantras. Devotees can view the Rajbhog thali at 11:45 AM. Following this, Brahmins will have their meal at the dining hall of Shri Ahilyabai temple at 12:30 PM. The day concludes with divine deep mala darshan before the evening aarti, which devotees can experience from 6:15 PM to 8:00 PM.
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