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Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Somnath on Saturday as part of his three-day visit to Gujarat, during which he will take part in religious, cultural and development-related programmes, including the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ and the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot.

The Prime Minister was received by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other dignitaries at the helipad near the Somnath Mahadev Temple in Gir Somnath district. Large numbers of locals and devotees lined the route to greet him as he proceeded to the VVIP circuit house near the temple.

Later in the evening, Modi will participate in ‘Omkar Mantra’ chanting at the temple as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, being observed from January 8 to 11 to mark 1,000 years since the first attack on the shrine in 1026. He will also witness a drone show depicting key historical episodes associated with the temple and chair a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust in his capacity as its chairman.

On Sunday morning, the Prime Minister will take part in the ‘Shaurya Yatra’, a ceremonial procession honouring those who defended the temple over centuries. The procession will feature a symbolic march of 108 horses. He will then offer prayers at the Somnath temple and address a public function marking the Swabhiman Parv.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the event commemorates the sacrifices made to protect the temple, which is regarded as a symbol of resilience and cultural continuity. The celebrations also coincide with 75 years of the temple’s post-Independence restoration, completed in 1951 following efforts led by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Later on Sunday, Modi will travel to Rajkot to attend the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions. He will inaugurate a trade exhibition, announce the development of 14 greenfield GIDC industrial estates and inaugurate a medical device park.

The Prime Minister will then proceed to Ahmedabad, where he will inaugurate the remaining stretch of Phase II of the Ahmedabad Metro between Sector 10A (Sachivalaya) and Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

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On Monday, Modi will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, beginning with a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and participation in the International Kite Festival, followed by bilateral talks reviewing the India–Germany strategic partnership.