Somnath

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday performed Maha Pooja and other rituals at the historic Somnath Temple as part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav, marking 75 years since the inauguration of the restored shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

After a roadshow in Somnath, the prime minister entered the temple and performed Maha Pooja and Jalabhishek—the ritual of offering holy water over the Shivling—amid Vedic chants.

Modi also witnessed Kumbhabhishek, during which holy water collected from major pilgrimage sites across India was sprinkled atop the temple’s shikhar (spire) using a crane.

The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav commemorates 75 years since the restored temple was inaugurated in 1951 by India’s first President, Rajendra Prasad.

The prime minister, accompanied by Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, also watched an aerial display by the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team over the temple complex.

Using indigenous smoke pods, the aircraft created the image of the Indian tricolour in the sky with saffron, white and green smoke.

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Modi is scheduled to address a public gathering later in the day at Sadbhavana Ground.