New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav in Gujarat, marking 75 years since the inauguration of the reconstructed Somnath Temple, and described the shrine as a “beacon of unwavering faith, divinity and a sacred symbol of India’s eternal soul.”
PM Modi also performed Mahapuja and Kumbhabhishek at the Somnath temple.
“To be praying to Mahadev on the special occasion marking 75 years since the rebuilt Somnath Temple opened its doors is an experience I’ll never forget. The Darshan and Pujan of Mahadev is a source of boundless spiritual energy,” said the Prime Minister in a post on X.
“In Somnath today, the skies witnessed a magnificent confluence of pride and valour. The Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Team showcased a breathtaking flypast. This spirit of Bhakti and Shakti filled every heart with deep joy,” added PM Modi in another post on X.
Addressing a large gathering at the temple complex in Prabhas Patan, the Prime Minister said the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in 1951 represented far more than a religious event and symbolised the resurgence of India’s civilisational consciousness after Independence.
“The restoration of the Somnath Temple on this exact day 75 years ago was no ordinary occasion. If India attained independence in 1947, then the consecration of Somnath in 1951 proclaimed the independent spirit of India,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav was not merely a celebration of the past but “India’s inspiration for the next thousand years.” He added that the temple’s journey reflected the resilience of Indian civilisation despite repeated attacks and destruction over centuries.
“Looters tried to destroy the magnificence of the Somnath temple. Thinking of Somnath as nothing but a physical edifice, they kept striking against it. The temple was broken repeatedly, yet it was rebuilt time and again, standing tall after every fall,” he said.
Recalling the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in rebuilding the temple after Independence, PM Modi said Patel’s determination sent a message to the world that India was reclaiming its ancient glory alongside achieving political freedom.
“When the nation freed itself from foreign shackles, Somnath’s restoration simultaneously declared to the world that India was not merely independent, it was already reclaiming its ancient glory,” he said.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to India’s first President Rajendra Prasad, K.M. Munshi and several historical figures associated with preserving and rebuilding the temple across centuries. He named rulers and personalities including Raja Bhoj, Bhimdev I, Kumarapala, Mahipala I, Rao Khangar, Ahilyabai Holkar and Jam Saheb Digvijay Singh for their contributions to the shrine’s legacy.
Drawing a parallel between cultural resurgence and national development, PM Modi said India must move forward by balancing “development and heritage together.” He highlighted recent initiatives such as the reconstruction of Kedarnath, the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain, the Chardham project, the Kartarpur Corridor and the Buddhist Circuit as examples of integrating spiritual heritage with economic growth and tourism.
Connecting the occasion with another landmark moment in India’s history, the Prime Minister reminded the gathering that May 11 also marks the anniversary of India’s Pokhran nuclear tests conducted in 1998. He recalled that India carried out three nuclear tests on May 11, showcasing the capabilities of Indian scientists, while the subsequent tests on May 13 reflected the country’s unwavering political resolve.
“At that time, the entire world was pressuring India, but under the leadership of Atal ji, the government demonstrated that for us, the nation comes first. No power in the world can make India bow or force it under pressure,” PM Modi said.
Explaining the significance behind the name of the operation, the Prime Minister noted that the Pokhran nuclear tests were named “Operation Shakti” for deeply rooted cultural reasons. “Because the worship of Shakti along with Shiva has always been part of our tradition,” PM Modi said.
Drawing upon Hindu iconography, he said that Ardhanarishwara symbolises the inseparable union of Shiva and Shakti. The Prime Minister also recalled that when India’s Chandrayaan mission successfully landed on the Moon, the landing site was named in keeping with the same philosophy. Highlighting the connection between ancient wisdom and modern achievement, he added, “How delightful it is that this Jyotirlinga is called Somnath after the Moon, Soma.”
Invoking the philosophy of “Shiva and Shakti,” PM Modi said India’s spiritual traditions continue to inspire scientific advancement and modern progress. Referring to the Chandrayaan mission, he noted that India’s achievements in space exploration also reflected the country’s civilisational ethos.
The Prime Minister further said Somnath had emerged as both a spiritual centre and an engine of regional economic activity, benefiting thousands of livelihoods through tourism and pilgrimage. “This temple draws people from every corner of the world, and their visits generate prosperity across the entire region,” he observed.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said Somnath stood as a reminder that a nation remains strong only when it stays connected to its roots.
“When new generations reconnect with their history, faith and values, the nation’s inner strength deepens immeasurably. The self-confidence with which India advances today owes immensely to this cultural continuity,” he said.
