Gandhinagar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the lessons drawn from the last thousand years of India’s history would guide the nation’s future, as he addressed the Somnath Swabhiman Parv at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat.

Participating in the Shaurya Yatra and Shaurya Sabha held to mark a millennium since repeated attacks on the Somnath temple, the Prime Minister described the shrine as a symbol of India’s faith, self-respect and cultural resilience. He said Somnath’s history represents victory and reconstruction rather than destruction, noting that despite repeated invasions, India’s spiritual consciousness remained indestructible.

“The Somnath Swabhiman Parv is not about remembering destruction, but about celebrating centuries of resilience and reconstruction,” Modi said, adding that civilisations built on force ultimately fade into history.

On the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister offered prayers at the Somnath temple and participated in the Shaurya Yatra alongside Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other state leaders. Floral tributes were paid to Veer Hamirji Gohil, who died defending the temple, and to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who spearheaded its reconstruction after Independence.

Referring to historical invasions from Mahmud of Ghazni to Aurangzeb, Modi said invaders failed to understand the essence of Sanatan tradition. He described Lord Somnath as ‘Mrityunjaya’, symbolising creation, preservation and destruction, and said India’s faith could not be erased by force.

The Prime Minister also warned against contemporary divisive forces, urging citizens to remain united and vigilant to protect India’s cultural roots. He said preserving heritage was essential for strengthening the nation over the next thousand years.

Linking cultural revival with development, Modi highlighted initiatives such as the Somnath Sanskrit University, expansion of Keshod Airport, the Ahmedabad–Veraval Vande Bharat train, conservation of Gir lions and the development of pilgrimage circuits to boost spiritual tourism. He reiterated the vision of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi” and said India was moving steadily towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel described the Somnath Swabhiman Parv as a celebration of national self-respect and unbroken faith, while Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said the event reflected India’s resolve to honour its cultural heritage rather than glorify invaders.

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Several ministers, MPs, saints and devotees attended the event, which concluded with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”.