Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Somnath temple’s survival over the past thousand years reflects the country’s indomitable civilisational spirit. He said, Somnath temple continues to stand tall despite repeated attacks and immense adversity. In an Op-Ed marking the historic milestone of one thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath temple in the year one thousand 26, the Prime Minister said, hearing the word Somnath instils a sense of pride in people’s hearts and minds. He said, it is the eternal proclamation of the country’s soul, and this majestic temple is situated on the western coast of the country in Gujarat, at a place called Prabhas Patan.
The Prime Minister said, Somnath’s story is not merely about a temple, but about the unbreakable courage of countless children of Bharat Mata who safeguarded the nation’s culture and civilisation. Recalling the period when the Somnath temple, revered by millions, was attacked by foreign invaders, Prime Minister Modi said it was in January 1026 that Mahmud of Ghazni attacked this temple, seeking to destroy a great symbol of faith and civilisation through a violent and barbaric invasion. Mr Modi said, after a thousand years, the temple still stands as glorious as ever because of the countless efforts to restore Somnath to its grandeur. Lauding the efforts of those who contributed to the restoration of the Somnath temple, the Prime Minister said that another important milestone would be completed in 2026, marking 75 years since the restored temple was opened to devotees. He said, in May 1951, in the presence of the then President Dr Rajendra Prasad, the restored Somnath Temple once again opened its doors. He said the sacred responsibility of rebuilding Somnath after Independence fell upon Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He recalled that Patel’s visit to the site during Diwali in 1947 deeply moved him, leading to the decision to rebuild the temple at the same location. Mr Modi pointed out that then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was not supportive of the event and did not want top constitutional authorities to be associated with it.
