At Somnath, PM invokes a civilisation that refused to die
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said India needs to be alert, united and strong to defeat the forces that are still active amongst us even after seven decades of Independence who opposed Sanatan Dharma sentiments including reconstruction of Somnath temple.
Modi was addressing a large gathering at Somnath Swabhiman Parv to mark the resilience of Indian civilisation, symbolised by the rebuilding of the Somnath temple, which was repeatedly ravaged by foreign invaders beginning with Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack in the year 1026. PM noted Somnath’s history of 1,000 years is not that of destruction and defeat, but of victory and reconstruction.
Modi led a Shaurya Yatra, a ceremonial procession organised to honour those who laid down their lives defending the Somnath temple. The yatra featured a procession of 108 horses, reflecting valour and sacrifice. A large number of people and devotees gathered on both sides of the yatra route from Shankh Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle to greet the PM Modi. Standing on a specially designed vehicle, the PM, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, waved at the crowd during the one-km-long yatra.
Devotees in large numbers thronged the Somnath temple complex as dazzling fireworks, decorations and a drone show combined with religious fervour drew an unprecedented crowd to the ancient shrine.The crowd peaked since late Saturday evening shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the temple as part of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, included people of all ages, local residents as well as long-distance travellers.
A day earlier Modi participated in Omkar Mantra chanting at the Somnath temple, had darshan, and also witnessed drone show featuring an assemblage of 3,000 drones, matching the scale of the gathering on ground. The main road leading to the temple, from Shankh Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle, has been decked up with flowers and thematic decorations. Mounted lights fashioned in the shapes of tridents, Om and damru lined the stretch, complemented by Somnath Swabhiman Parv posters and flower-made shivalings.
PM said that though the Somnath temple attacks were driven by hatred, attempts were made to project it as simple loot. “Books were written to cover up the religious motivation, portraying it merely as ordinary loot. The Somnath temple was repeatedly destroyed. If the invasions had been solely for plunder, they would have stopped after the first major loot 1,000 years ago,” he said.
“But that didn’t happen. The sacred deity of Somnath was desecrated. Repeated attempts were made to alter the very form of the temple. And we were taught that Somnath was destroyed for the sake of loot! The true history of hatred, atrocity and terror was concealed from us,” PM added.
After Independence, when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took the oath of rebuilding the Somnath temple, his path was obstructed and objections were also raised when India’s first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad, came here for the inauguration of the reconstructed temple in 1951, the PM pointed out. Modi noted that many bravehearts like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Vegdaji Bhil sacrificed their lives to protect the Somnath temple from invaders.
