Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in religious and cultural events at the historic Somnath Temple in Gujarat, including special prayers and the Kumbhabhishek ceremony.
Modi arrived in Gujarat on Monday and took part in programmes associated with Somnath Temple. Ahead of the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav, he also held a roadshow that witnessed the participation of a large number of people. The Prime Minister later paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Gir Somnath. Earlier in the day, he offered prayers at the Shri Somnath Mahadev Jyotirlinga Temple in Prabhas Patan.
The programme included religious rituals such as the Maha Puja, Kumbhabhishek and flag-hoisting ceremony, which are regarded as part of the temple’s traditional consecration and religious practices. Amid Vedic chants, holy water brought from 11 pilgrimage sites was offered at the temple spire.
Prime Minister Modi participated in the Maha Puja at the temple complex and observed the rituals amid Vedic chants. The Kumbhabhishek ceremony was conducted using water brought from 11 sacred pilgrimage sites. The ritual is regarded in Indian religious traditions as a symbol of purification and restoration of spiritual energy.
During the religious programme, a ceremonial kalash was installed on the temple spire with the help of a 90-metre crane. A flag-hoisting ceremony was also held at the temple as part of traditional Hindu religious practices. Both the flag-hoisting and Kumbhabhishek ceremonies are regarded as symbols of restoration and spiritual energy.
An aerial display by the Indian Air Force formed part of the programme. The Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team conducted an air show over the temple for around 15 minutes. A Chetak helicopter also showered flower petals over the temple complex during the event.
The programme was organised as part of the Somnath Amrit Mahotsav, marking 75 years since the inauguration of the reconstructed Somnath Temple. Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is regarded as an important centre of India’s spiritual heritage.
Before the programme, Prime Minister Modi held a roadshow in the Gir Somnath region, where large crowds gathered along the route to welcome him. He also paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and addressed a public gathering in the region.
Security arrangements were put in place throughout the event. Local administration and security agencies made special arrangements for crowd management and traffic control. Surveillance and monitoring systems remained active across the area in view of the large gathering.
Modi’s visit to Gujarat is scheduled for two days. Prior to this, he attended programmes in Bengaluru and Hyderabad and later addressed a public meeting in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
