Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (May 8, 2026) said every part of India is sacred, bound by a sense of unity that transcends geography, and in a world often marked by division, that spirit of unity is more important than ever.
In a signed article marking 75 years since the reopening of the restored Somnath temple to devotees, Mr. Modi said the struggles and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to protect the temple in Gujarat and those who rebuilt it again and again would never be forgotten.
He said that in a world often marked by division, this spirit of unity is more important than ever and Somnath will continue to stand tall in all its glory because the sense of unity and shared civilizational consciousness lives in the hearts of every Indian.
“Innumerable individuals from different corners of India contributed to restoring its glory. They saw every part of Bharat as sacred, bound by a sense of unity that transcended geography. In a world often marked by division, this spirit of unity is more important than ever,” he said.
In tribute to this, remembering the extraordinary courage of a thousand years, he said that there would be special pujas at Somnath for the next thousand days. It is heartening to see several people also donating for these pujas, he said.
“I urge my fellow Indians to travel to the Somnath at this special time. As you stand on the banks of the Somnath, let its ancient echoes speak to you. Not only will you be overwhelmed by devotion, but you will also feel the strong pulse of a civilizational spirit that refuses to be extinguished, unbroken and unyielding,” he said.
Mr. Modi said devotees will experience Bharat’s invincible spirit and understand why Indian culture has remained undefeated despite all efforts and people will have the opportunity to witness a vision of eternal triumph that will surely be unforgettable.
The Prime Minister said he went to Somnath for Somnath Swabhiman Parv in early 2026, which is a thousand years since the first attack on the Somnath temple.
Now, he said, he will return to Somnath on May 11 to mark 75 years since the inauguration of the restored temple by the then President of India, Rajendra Prasad.
He said that in less than half a year it is my privilege to attend two important milestones regarding Somnath and its journey from destruction to restoration or what everyone describes as from Vidhvans to Srijan.
“Somnath gives us a message of civilization. The vast sea before it evokes timelessness. The waves tell us that no matter how violent the storms or how turbulent the tides, one can always rise again with dignity and strength.”
“The waves return to the shore as if to remind each generation that the spirit of a people can never be subdued for long,” he said.
Mr. Modi said that Indian ancient scriptures say that the ‘pradakshina’ of divine Somnath is equal to the ‘pradakshina’ of the entire country. He said that while people came here to pray, they also experienced a remarkable continuity of civilization whose flame could never be extinguished.
“Empires rose and fell, tides changed, history moved through conquest and upheaval, yet Somnath continued to linger in our consciousness. It is time to remember the countless greats who stood firm in the face of tyranny,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that it was Lakulisha and Soma Sarman who transformed Prabhasa into a great center of philosophy.
He said Chakravarti Maharaja Dharasena IV of Vallabhi built a second temple there centuries ago and Bhima Deva, Jayapala and Anandapala will always be remembered for defending the civilizational honor against invasions.
Mr. Modi said Raja Bhoja was also said to have helped in the reconstruction and Karna Deva and Siddharaja Jayasimha played a vital role in restoring the political and cultural strength of Gujarat.
Bhava Brihaspati, Kumarapala Solanki and Pashupata Acharyas rebuilt and maintained the shrine as a great center of worship and learning and Vishaladeva Vaghela and Tripurantaka protected its intellectual and spiritual traditions, he said.
“Mahipaladeva and Ra Khangar were instrumental in reviving the worship after the destruction. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, whose 300th birth anniversary is being commemorated, ensured the continuity of the devotion in the most difficult times,” he said.
The Prime Minister said that there are Gaekwads of Baroda who protect the rights of pilgrims and the soil of the country is blessed to have nurtured brave personalities like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil whose sacrifice and courage have become part of Somnath’s living memory.
He said that in the 1940s, when the spirit of freedom swept through India and the foundations of a new republic were laid under the leadership of senior figures like Sardar Patel, one thing continued to deeply concern him – the condition of Somnath.
“On November 13, 1947, at the time of Diwali, he stood beside the dilapidated ruins of the temple with sea water in his hands and said, “On this auspicious day of the (Gujarati) New Year, we have decided that Somnath should be reconstructed. You people of Saurashtra should do your best. All these should participate in the holy task.
Mr. Modi said that not only the people of Gujarat but also people from all over India responded enthusiastically to the Sardar Patel Clarion Call.
Unfortunately, he said, fate did not allow Sardar Patel to witness the fulfillment of the dream he fought so passionately for, as he passed away before the restored Somnath temple could open its doors to devotees.
Yet his (Patel’s) impact continued to be felt over the sacred banks of Prabhas Patan, he said.
“His vision was championed by Shri KM Munshi, ably supported by Jamsaheb of Nawanagar. In 1951, when the temple was completed, it was decided to invite the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, to the ceremony. Dr. Prasad, who overcame the strong objections of the then Prime Minister, Pandit Nehru, graced the ceremony and made it even more special,” he said.
Mr. Modi said his mind also goes back to October 2001 when he had just taken over as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and on October 31, 2001, Jayanti of Sardar Patel, the Gujarat government had the honor of organizing a program to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Somnath temple.
He said it also coincided with Sardar Patel’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations and then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Home Minister LK Advani attended the programme.
Mr. Modi said during his speech on May 11, 1951, President Rajendra Prasad said that the Somnath temple declares to the world that nothing with singular faith and love can be destroyed. Prasad expressed the hope that this temple will live on in the hearts of people.
“He (Prasad) also said that the restoration of the temple was the fulfillment of Sardar Patel’s dream, but as we move forward in this spirit, it is important that we restore prosperity to people’s lives. These are the important and inspiring messages he gave,” he said.
“This is the path we have been walking for more than a decade. I consider myself lucky to be inspired by the principle of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam, while our team had the latest opportunity to preserve our traditional spiritual facilities in their traditional guise,” Modi said.
This, he said, along with efforts to improve connectivity, ensures that more people can visit them and strengthens the local economy, ensures livelihoods and deepens the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.
