Patna, July 20: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary launched a special train from Patliputra Junction on Monday, carrying 1,150 pilgrims to visit Lord Somnath as part of the ‘Somnath Swabhimaan Parv’ initiative. The Chief Minister waved the green flag to send off the train, meeting with passengers and reviewing the amenities available on board. He wished all the pilgrims a pleasant and auspicious journey.
This initiative by the state government is seen as a significant step towards promoting religious tourism, cultural heritage, and eternal faith. The event commenced with the lighting of lamps, drum beats, and conch shell sounds. Chief Minister Chaudhary presented a pot to devotee Shobha Singh and a flag to Ajit Kumar, embodying the spirit of the event titled ‘Somnath Swabhimaan Parv – A Saga of Unwavering Faith’.
In his address, the Chief Minister noted that 1,150 pilgrims from various districts of Bihar are participating in this sacred journey. The flag and pot sent along with the pilgrims symbolize Bihar’s faith, pride, and cultural heritage. He urged the travelers to spread the message of Bihar’s glorious cultural traditions and eternal values wherever they go.
He assured that the government has made adequate arrangements for the comfort and safety of the pilgrims during their journey. With the blessings of Lord Somnath, Gujarat and the entire nation are achieving new heights of development. He expressed hope that, with Lord Somnath’s grace, Bihar will also reach new peaks of development, prosperity, and cultural renaissance. He encouraged pilgrims to visit both the Somnath Jyotirlinga and Kashi Vishwanath, praying for Bihar’s peace, prosperity, and comprehensive development.
Chaudhary also reflected on history, recalling that nearly a thousand years ago, foreign invaders attacked the Somnath temple, looting it and destroying Nalanda University. He highlighted that in independent India, the Somnath temple was rebuilt 75 years ago, with significant contributions from the country’s first President and Bihar’s pride, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Additionally, he mentioned the restoration of Nalanda University, a symbol of India’s cultural renaissance, thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this journey is not merely a religious event but a powerful means to convey Bihar’s eternal traditions, cultural heritage, and spiritual consciousness across the nation. The state government is continuously working to promote religious tourism, preserve historical heritage, and strengthen cultural identity.
The event was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Minister of Art and Culture Dr. Pramod Kumar, and BJP state president and MLA Sanjay Sarawagi.
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