Ira Singh 
Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Monday offered prayers at the sacred Somnath Temple and participated in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav celebrations marking 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by India’s first President, Rajendra Prasad.
VIDEO | Gir, Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at the Somnath Temple as part of the Somnath Amrutparv 2026 celebrations, marking 75 years of the consecration of the temple.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 11, 2026
Source: Third Party
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/wlh5Xhi4f1
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel during a roadshow held in Gir Somnath before entering the temple premises.
A large number of people gathered along the nearly 1.5-km stretch from the helipad to Veer Hamirji Circle to welcome Modi, waving flags and raising slogans as his convoy passed through the area amid tight security arrangements.Artists from different parts of the country, including West Bengal, performed traditional dances at various points during the roadshow.
#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a roadshow
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
PM Modi will participate in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at Somnath Temple today
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/HTwQVtoReM
At the temple, Modi performed religious rituals including ‘Abhishek’, ‘Dhwaj Pooja’ and ‘Maha Pooja’. Flower petals were also showered on the shrine from helicopters during the ceremonies.The Somnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva, is regarded as a symbol of India’s enduring faith and civilisational heritage.
#WATCH | Gir Somnath, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav at the Somnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.
— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2026
Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marks 75 years since the inauguration of the restored Temple.
(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/isWZOpZedg
Ahead of the visit, Modi had shared an op-ed reflecting on the historical and spiritual significance of Somnath and paid tribute to those who protected and restored the temple over centuries.In the article, the PM described Somnath’s journey as one “from ruin to renewal” and recalled attending the Somnath Swabhiman Parv earlier this year marking 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple.
Later in the day, Modi is scheduled to address a public gathering at Sadbhavana Ground before travelling to Vadodara to inaugurate Sardar Dham as part of his Gujarat visit.Earlier, Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi had said people across Gujarat were enthusiastic about welcoming the Prime Minister during his visit to Somnath and Vadodara.The Prime Minister arrived in Jamnagar on Sunday night as part of his two-day Gujarat visit and travelled to Somnath on Monday morning to attend the commemorative programme.
(State Correspondent)
