Somnath is symbol of `civilisational courage’, says PM Modi as he arrives for `Swabhiman Parv’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday described Somnath as a symbol of “our civilisational courage” as he landed in the famous temple town to attend `Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ events.

Starting his three-day visit to Gujarat, he witnessed a drone show and presided over a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust as its chairman.

“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. Grateful to the people for the warm welcome,” the PM said in a post on X after his arrival.

“In Somnath this evening, chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust. We reviewed various aspects relating to infrastructure upgradations in the temple complex and ways to make the pilgrimage to Somnath even more memorable,” he wrote in another post after the meeting.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi also attended the meeting along with the trustees and officials.

The Prime Minister landed at the helipad near the famous Somnath temple in Gir Somnath district earlier in the evening. A large number of people lined the road to greet him as his convoy drove to the circuit house.

After conducting a meeting at the circuit house, Modi headed to the temple where he participated in ‘Omkar Mantra’ chanting as part of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, said a state government release.

He then witnessed a drone show at the temple premises. Some 3,000 drones created various images depicting historical events associated with the temple in the sky over the Arabian Sea, the release said.