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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat flagged off a train of devotees, who are heading to Gujarat’s Somnath temple under the “Somnath Swabhiman Parv”, from Safdarjung Railway Station on Thursday.
Shekhawat said similar Somnath Yatras are being organised in other states as well to commemorate the undiminished faith of people during an attack on the shrine by Mahmud of Ghazni 1,000 years ago.
In a press statement, the chief minister’s office said that all passengers are scheduled to return to Delhi on May 5. A total of 19 AC 3-tier coaches have been deployed, with special attention to passenger comfort. Each coach has two dedicated team leaders to assist pilgrims throughout the journey.
A team of doctors is onboard, along with housekeeping staff and Railway Protection Force personnel, ensuring health support, cleanliness and security. The flag-off ceremony also featured cultural performances, with folk traditions from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab creating a vibrant and devotional atmosphere.
Welcoming the pilgrims, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the yatra reflects India’s rich cultural heritage, deep-rooted faith and civilisational pride. The chief minister said the train carries around 1,400 devotees from Delhi to the Somnath temple.
She emphasised that it is not merely a religious event but a celebration of the country’s thousands-of-years-old cultural consciousness and enduring faith. Referring to landmark initiatives such as the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, she said these transformative efforts have given Indian culture a renewed identity and fresh energy.
The Somnath Yatra, she added, carries forward the same spirit. She reiterated that the Delhi government remains committed to strengthening citizens’ religious faith and cultural identity and will continue such initiatives in the future.
She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured that the country’s heritage is conserved and people are connected to their cultural roots. She described the Yatra as a historic and cultural initiative dedicated to ‘1,000 years of unbroken faith’, aimed at reconnecting the people of Delhi with their spiritual heritage.
Interacting with pilgrims, Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra said the Delhi government remains dedicated to serving senior citizens, mothers, sisters, daughters and all devotees. He underlined that this initiative goes beyond organising a pilgrimage, reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening citizens’ faith, dignity and cultural bonds.
