Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a significant three-day visit to his home state of Gujarat on Saturday, receiving an overwhelming welcome from devotees in the historic temple town of Somnath. The visit marks a blend of spiritual observance and developmental review during the SomnathSwabhimanParv.
A Spiritual Start in Somnath
The Prime Minister's tour began at the revered Somnath Temple, where he was greeted by massive crowds lining the streets. Chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ filled the air as devotees waved and took photos. PM Modi offered prayers to Lord Shiva in an atmosphere charged with devotion, amplified by Vedic chants from young priests within the temple complex.
In a spectacular modern contrast to the ancient rituals, the night sky over the Arabian Sea was illuminated by thousands of drones. The synchronized display created breathtaking aerial images, captivating all who witnessed it. Reflecting on the experience, the Prime Minister took to social media platform X to express his feelings.
"Today's welcome was special. Feeling blessed to be in Somnath, a proud symbol of our civilisational courage. This visit comes during SomnathSwabhimanParv, when the entire nation has come together to mark a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026," Modi wrote.
Review and Remembrance
Beyond the public ceremonies, the Prime Minister conducted official business by chairing a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. The meeting focused on reviewing plans for infrastructure upgrades within the temple complex and exploring ways to enhance the pilgrimage experience for visitors.
The second day of the tour, Sunday, is scheduled to feature the Shaurya Yatra with 108 horses. This procession is organized to honor the memory of all warriors who sacrificed their lives defending the Somnath Temple from repeated invasions and plunder attempts. Following this solemn tribute, PM Modi is slated to address a public rally.
Focus on Development in Rajkot
Later on Sunday, the Prime Minister will travel to Rajkot to shift focus to economic and industrial development. His key engagement there will be the inauguration of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference and Exhibition at Marwadi University. This two-day conference is designed to foster growth through policy discussions and B2B (business-to-business) meetings.
The accompanying exhibition will showcase future opportunities across six key sectors through dedicated pavilions:
- Gateway to Global Growth: Featuring participation from the Japanese agency JETRO, along with various state and central government departments.
- Handicrafts, Rural and MSME: A pavilion promoting the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative to support small industries and artisans.
- Other halls will focus on maritime development, enterprise excellence, and innovations within the public sector, with involvement from leading corporations, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and institutions.
This tour underscores the Prime Minister's dual focus on cultural heritage and forward-looking economic development in Gujarat.
