Gir Somnath, May 11: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the historic Kumbh Abhishek ceremony at Somnath Temple on Monday, marking the 75th anniversary of the temple’s renovation. This event was part of the ‘Somnath Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration.
The ceremony was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi, temple trustees, saints, and senior officials. It commemorated the temple’s restoration, which was inaugurated by India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, in 1951, following reconstruction efforts led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Before the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi held a roadshow in Somnath, where a large crowd gathered to welcome him. As his convoy approached the temple, artists from various parts of the country performed cultural programs. Inside the temple, the Prime Minister participated in several religious rituals, including Jalabhishek, Mahapuja, and flag worship, using sacred water collected from 11 pilgrimage sites across the country.
According to the organizers, a specially designed ritual vessel weighing 1,860 kilograms was lifted to the temple’s pinnacle using a 90-meter crane. This marked the first ceremony of its kind held at the temple’s summit.
Before entering the temple, Prime Minister Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel located within the temple complex. The ceremony featured the chanting of Vedic mantras and devotional hymns, accompanied by flower petals showered from helicopters over the temple.
Recognized as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in Hinduism, Somnath Temple was elaborately decorated for this occasion. Thousands of devotees participated in the ceremony amidst tight security across Gir Somnath district. Over 2,000 police officers, home guards, and other security personnel were deployed for the Prime Minister’s visit and the event.
The Somnath Amrit Mahotsav celebrates the 75th anniversary of the renovated temple, long regarded as a symbol of faith and cultural heritage.
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