Finance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Gujarat’s Somnath temple and participated in traditions commemorating the Somnath Swabhiman Parv festivities.
The Prime Minister joined the chanting of the ‘Omkar Mantra’ and offered special prayers at the shrine. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv commemorates the 1,000th anniversary of Mahmud of Ghazni’s assault of the Somnath temple in 1026.
PM Modi also saw a massive drone display with elaborate thematic formations, such as giant pictures of Lord Shiva, a shivling, and a 3D representation of the Somnath temple. Nearly 3,000 drones were utilized to recreate significant historical events related with the shrine, making it one of the largest drone shows ever held near a temple site in the country.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also attended the event. The Somnath Swabhiman Parv began January 8 and will end on January 11.
The Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to Gujarat, where he will attend a number of events, including temple festivals and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries greeted the Prime Minister warmly upon his arrival. As his convoy drove to the VVIP circuit home near the shrine, PM Modi held a brief roadshow, with enormous throngs of locals and devotees lining the path to greet him.
According to a PIB release, the Prime Minister participate in the ‘Shaurya Yatra’ on Sunday, a customary parade to remember those who died defending the Somnath shrine. The Shaurya Yatra includes a symbolic procession of 108 horses, which represent courage and sacrifice.
Modi l then conduct prayers at the Somnath temple about 10:15 a.m., followed by a public function commemorating Somnath Swabhiman Parv at 11 a.m.
