SOMNATH, GUJARAT | JANUARY 9, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Somnath, Gujarat, on January 10-11, 2026, to participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. This landmark event commemorates 1,000 years of “Unbroken Spirit and Civilisational Continuity,” marking the millennium since the first major invasion of the temple in 1026. The Prime Minister’s visit begins on the evening of January 10, where he will join a 72-hour continuous Omkar Mantra chanting session and witness a grand drone show. On the morning of January 11, the Prime Minister will take part in the Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession featuring 108 horses designed to honor the historical valor of those who defended the shrine. Following the yatra, he will perform Darshan and Pooja at the temple before addressing a public gathering.
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv serves as a tribute to the resilience of Indian culture against centuries of destruction. This year’s celebrations hold dual historical significance: they mark 1,000 years since the invasion by Mahmud of Ghazni and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the temple’s post-independence restoration, which was spearheaded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and inaugurated by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1951. By participating in these ceremonies alongside hundreds of saints from across the nation, PM Modi reaffirms a national commitment to preserving India’s spiritual heritage and honoring the “Swabhiman” (self-respect) of a civilization that has consistently risen from the ruins to reclaim its ancient glory.
