By Admin 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (January 11, 2026) participated in the Shaurya Yatra organized at the holy Somnath temple located in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. This yatra was taken out in honor of those brave warriors who sacrificed their lives while protecting the Somnath temple centuries ago. In this Shaurya Yatra organized under the Somnath Swabhiman festival, a symbolic procession of 108 horses was taken out, which is considered a symbol of bravery, renunciation and sacrifice in Indian tradition. It was as if this scene was bringing the pages of history alive in the present.
Prime Minister Modi along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel passed through a kilometer long route in a specially decorated carriage. Thousands of devotees and local citizens were gathered on both sides of the road, who were welcoming the Prime Minister with flower showers and greetings.
Somnath Swabhiman festival is a living reflection of the eternal faith, spiritual practice and unwavering resolve of millions of Indians. Being a participant of this great festival in the holy Shri Somnath temple is an unforgettable and priceless moment of my life.#SomnathSwabhimanParv
https://t.co/q3UHrNzTzt— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2026
Crowd gathered in Somnath
A record crowd was seen in the Somnath temple complex on Saturday night (January 10, 2026). Despite the cold, the devotees remained in the temple premises till after midnight. The crowd reached its peak after the Prime Minister’s visit. Devotees from different parts of the country—elderly, youth, women and children. Be a witness to this historic occasion. Along with local residents, travelers from far off places also made this festival special. Prime Minister Modi collectively chanted Omkar Mantra on Saturday evening, had darshan of Somnath Baba and watched the grand drone show organized after it. Nearly 3,000 drones were flying together in the sky creating divine figures, matching the enthusiasm of the huge crowd present on the ground.
Amazing confluence of light, tradition and technology
The drone show, which lasted for about 15 minutes, mesmerized the devotees. The drone displayed a three-dimensional (3D) view of Lord Shiva, Shivalinga, the Somnath temple, and scenes of destruction and reconstruction over the history of the temple. The fireworks that followed filled the sky of the beach with light. This was not just a visual event, but was a symbol of the story of Somnath, which despite being broken, stood stronger every time. The drone formations depicted the attacks on the temple and its subsequent resurrection, underlining the essence of the festival.
faith that bridges distances
Preeti Karelia, who came from Mumbai, was part of an all-female bhajan group along with 24 other women. Sharing his sentiments he said, ‘We have come today to see the Somnath temple and our Prime Minister. The event is a celebration of the temple’s traditions and its amazing patience. The decorations, fireworks and drone show further strengthened the divinity that drew so many people here in a single day. Religious saints, local leaders and common citizens also described this occasion as historic. Remembering warriors like Veer Hamirji Gohil, Bhardwaj Giri, who came from Bhavnagar, said that they “dedicated their lives to protect the glory of our Hindu pilgrimages.”
Whole city decorated in Swabhiman festival
The city of Somnath itself became a part of the festival. The main road from Shankha Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle was decorated with flowers, theme based decorations and lights. Trishul, Om and Damru shaped lights, Shivlinga made of flowers and posters of Somnath Swabhiman festival put up at various places were filling the entire route with a spiritual atmosphere. In the evening, folk dance artists from Karnataka performed in traditional costumes, which attracted the attention of the audience.
Restoration of Somnath from history to present
Somnath Swabhiman Parv was organized on the occasion of completion of 1,000 years of the attack on Somnath by Mahmud Ghaznavi. After independence, the initiative of reconstruction of this temple was taken up by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In 1951, the renovated Somnath temple was opened to devotees in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Even today, the statue of Sardar Patel installed in front of the main gate of the temple reminds of that national resolve. Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India and has been a symbol of reverence, struggle and self-confidence for centuries.
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