Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reaffirmed the enduring significance of the Somnath temple, stating that the passage of time has reduced the fanatical invaders who once sought to destroy it to mere chapters in history, while the temple continues to stand as a symbol of resilience and faith.
Addressing a gathering on the Somnath Swabhiman Parv here, Modi highlighted the temple’s symbolic strength, saying that standing firmly on the shores of the vast ocean, the temple’s towering “dharma-dhwaja” continues to proclaim an unwavering message of spiritual strength.
Modi added that when invaders from Ghazni to Aurangzeb attacked the temple, they believed their swords were conquering the eternal Somnath, but those fanatics failed to understand that the very name ‘som’ carries the essence of nectar, the idea of remaining immortal even after consuming poison. He said within the Somnath temple resides the conscious power of Sadashiva Mahadev, who is both benevolent and fierce.
Highlighting its turbulent history, Modi said the waves of invaders and repeated assaults could never permanently destroy the temple. “The centuries-long struggle, resistance, creativity and immense resilience in reconstruction, combined with unwavering faith in our culture and beliefs, is unparalleled in world history,” he remarked, emphasising the temple as a “symbol of India’s spiritual strength”.
He urged citizens to honour the courage of their ancestors, noting that remembering the heroic deeds of forefathers was both a duty and a source of strength. “No son or descendant should ever pretend to forget the sacrifices of their ancestors,” he said.
The PM also highlighted the challenges faced during the temple’s reconstruction after the Independence. He said when Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel took the pledge to rebuild the temple, there were efforts to stop him, and even President Rajendra Prasad faced opposition during his 1951 visit.
Without mentioning anybody, Modi said while invaders no longer come with swords, conspiracies to undermine India continue in other forms, urging vigilance, unity and strength to protect the nation.
Stressing the importance of heritage and faith, Modi said, “When we preserve our heritage with pride, the foundations of our civilisation grow stronger.”
“The history of Somnath mirrors the history of India itself, marked by repeated attempts at destruction and an equally powerful tradition of renewal,” he said.
Stressing India’s ambition of becoming the world’s third-largest economy, eradicating poverty and achieving unprecedented development, he said the spiritual energy of the temple supports these collective goals.
Earlier, Modi participated in the Shaurya Yatra at the temple, a ceremonial procession organised to honour the countless warriors who laid down their lives in defence of the temple.
The yatra featured a symbolic procession of 108 horses, representing bravery, sacrifice and unwavering devotion.