Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi published a blog calling Somnath the “eternal proclamation of India’s soul” and highlighting its survival since Mahmud of Ghazni’s first attack in January 1026.
- Somnath Swabhiman Parv will feature year-long activities, with major programmes from January 8 to 11 and Modi scheduled to attend at the temple on January 11.
- Modi’s piece revisits the post-Independence restoration led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and K. M. Munshi, noting the May 11, 1951 reopening in President Rajendra Prasad’s presence and Nehru’s lack of support for official participation.
- He underscores Somnath’s religious standing as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas and cites figures like Ahilyabai Holkar and Swami Vivekananda in the temple’s restoration and national memory.
- The BJP linked the commemoration to current policy goals, with spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi saying the prosperity vision associated with Somnath is nearing realization under the Modi government.