- PM Modi attends Somnath Amrut Mahotsav in Gujarat
- Prime Minister calls Somnath a symbol of India’s eternal consciousness
- Modi links temple restoration with India’s post-Independence resurgence
- PM says Somnath will inspire India for the next thousand years
GG News Bureau
Somnath, 11th May: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Somnath Temple stands as a symbol of India’s eternal soul, unwavering faith and civilisational resilience while participating in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations in Gujarat.
Addressing a gathering at the temple complex during celebrations marking 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Somnath Temple, Modi said the reconstruction of the shrine in 1951 represented India’s renewed national consciousness after Independence.
“If India attained independence in 1947, then the consecration of Somnath in 1951 proclaimed the independent spirit of India,” the Prime Minister said.
He described the event as more than a ceremonial anniversary and said it reflected India’s spiritual continuity and cultural strength despite centuries of invasions and destruction.
PM Recalls Somnath’s History of Destruction and Rebuilding
The Prime Minister said invaders repeatedly attempted to destroy the temple, believing it was merely a physical structure.
“Looters tried to destroy the magnificence of the Somnath temple. The temple was broken repeatedly, yet it was rebuilt time and again,” Modi said.
He said Somnath’s repeated reconstruction symbolised the resilience of Indian civilisation and the nation’s ability to preserve its cultural roots despite historical attacks.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to leaders and personalities associated with the temple’s restoration and protection, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Rajendra Prasad and KM Munshi.
He also acknowledged the contribution of rulers, saints and scholars who played roles in preserving Somnath’s spiritual legacy across centuries.
Somnath and India’s Future
PM Modi said the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav was not only a celebration of the past but also an inspiration for India’s future.
“This is not just a celebration of the past, this is also India’s inspiration for the next one thousand years,” he said.
The Prime Minister also connected the occasion with the anniversary of India’s 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, describing them as an example of national resolve and scientific strength.
He said the philosophy of “Shiva and Shakti” reflected India’s balance between spirituality and scientific advancement.
Highlighting cultural development projects undertaken in recent years, Modi referred to the reconstruction of Kedarnath, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Mahalok, Kartarpur Corridor and the Buddhist Circuit.
He said cultural heritage sites were not obstacles to development but centres of economic growth, social integration and national confidence.
The Prime Minister urged future generations to remain connected to India’s traditions and civilisational values while carrying the nation’s development journey forward.
