SOMNATH Swabhiman Parv’, the four-day celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the inauguration of the historic shrine of Lord Shiv in Somnath, is set to conclude on Sunday. One of the main highlights of this grand celebration is the Shourya Yatra, which will be graced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The Shourya Yatra will begin at Shankh Square and cover a 900-meter stretch, led by a team of 54 horsemen in front of the Prime Minister’s vehicle. Another group of 54 horsemen will follow him.

 

The procession will culminate at the Sardar Patel statue, located in front of the temple, as confirmed by a senior official to ‘The Hitavada’. The grand procession will be accompanied by around 2,500 Rishikumars chanting the ‘Omkar Mantra’, with a group of Ahir girls in their traditional attire adding grace to the event. The horses and riders in the procession hail from 15 districts of Gujarat’s Police Cavalry. These horses symbolise strength, while Somnath itself embodies self-respect. The four-day festival commenced with a 72-hour-long ‘Akhand Omkar Jap’ at the temple premises on Thursday. The opening ceremony was marked by the resonant sounds of conch shells and traditional damrus. The Swabhiman Parv celebrates the enduring spirit of the Somnath temple, with 2026 marking the 1,000th anniversary of the first attack on Somnath in January 1026 AD.

 

To bring this historical moment to life for the present generation, the Somnath Swabhiman Parv has drawn lakhs of devotees from across the country. PM Modi’s visit to Somnath: During the four-day Swabhiman Parv, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Somnath on the penultimate day, Saturday. After attending a meeting of the Shri Somnath Temple Trust, he witnessed a breathtaking drone show.

 

On Sunday, he will address a massive religious gathering, with over one lakh people expected to participate. Three enormous domes have been erected in front of the temple for the event. After the ceremonial procession, the Prime Minister will perform a puja at the Shri Somnath temple and then proceed to address the congregation. Somnath town decked up: The town of Somnath has been beautifully illuminated for the occasion.

 

At night, the town comes alive with mesmerising LED lights, kites adorning shop fronts, and roadside vendors displaying colourful lamps. Devotees from various parts of the country are arriving in large numbers to witness the Swabhiman Parv and seek darshan of Shri Somnath. Security arrangements: In light of the event’s grandeur, extensive security measures have been put in place.

 

Along with the Reserve Police and Special Action Forces, approximately 3,000-4,000 police officers from Gujarat Police have been deployed to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event. Yatra will have glimpses of country’s rich culture and unity in diversity as performances from states such as Karnataka, West Bengal and others are being presented on around 20 stages along the Shaurya Yatra route. Yakshagana, Kuchipudi dance, Maniyaro Raas, Bharatnatyam, and many others will be performed. Several Gujarat ministers participate in Akhand Omkar Chanting: SATURDAY witnessed visits of several dignitaries at the Shri Somnath Parv.

 

Before the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat Ministers made visit to the temple and participated in the ongoing programme. In a series of programmes under the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja, Minister of State for Law and Energy Kaushik Vekariya and Junagadh MLA Sanjay Kardiya participated in the 72-hour Akhand ‘Omkar Jap’ being conducted by Rishikumars. Dignitaries offered prayers at Shri Somnath Mahadev.

 

He also sat in the Somnath temple premises and did Omkar chanting with devotion, joined by his family. Under the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a 72-hour continuous ‘Omkar Jap’ is being organised by Rishikumars in the sacred premises of Shri Somnath Mahadev temple. Through this spiritual ritual organised under the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, a new direction is being given to India’s ancient culture, faith and the spirit of national self-respect. Notably, large participation of devotees is enhancing the spiritual significance of Somnath. Rajkot MLA Darshita Shah also offered prayers at Shri Somnath Mahadev temple.

 

The spiritual programme under the Somnath Swabhiman Parv further strengthened faith, culture, and self-respect. The dignitaries offered prayers at Shri Somnath Mahadev for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the State. Night comes alive: Somnath town was illuminated with mesmerising strings of LED lights, kites hanged across shopfronts, roadside vendors display colourful lamps, people from different corners of the country started to come to Somnath to have a glimpse of Swabhiman Parv and Shri Somnath Darshan.