PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple projects in Somnath Temple via video conferencing. The projects inaugurated include the Somnath Promenade, Somnath Exhibition Centre, the reconstructed temple precinct of Old Somnath temple, and Shree Parvati Temple.
Along with PM Modi, Shri Lal Krishan Advani, Union Home Minister, Union Tourism Minister along with CM and Deputy CM of Gujarat were present on the occasion.
While congratulating the devotees all over the world, PM also remembers and paid tribute to Sardar Patel who was instrumental in the revival of Somnath Temple. It was Sardar Patel, who linked the glory of Somnath Mandir with the independent spirit of independent India.
Shri Modi stated that ‘It is our good fortune that we are taking forward the efforts of Sardar Saheb in the 75th year of Independence and imparting new splendor to Somnath Temple.” The Prime Minister paid tributes to Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar who renovated several Hindu temples from Somnath to Vishwanath.
PM said that initiatives like the Statue of Unity and the transformation of Kachch, Gujarat has seen from close quarters, the results of linking modernity with tourism. He further said that ‘It has been a demand of every time period that we look for new possibilities in religious tourism and strengthen the links between pilgrimage and local economy”.
The Prime Minister said that Bhagwan Shiva gives rise to development and creativity amidst annihilation and destruction. Shiv is unending, can’t be expressed and eternal. ‘Our faith in Shiva makes us aware of our existence beyond the limits of time, gives us the strength to face the challenges of time’.
PM Modi also recalled the repeated destruction of the temple and how the temple rose after every attack. ‘It is a symbol of the belief that truth can’t be defeated by falsehood and faith can’t be crushed by terror.’ “The destructive powers, the thinking that tries to establish an empire on the basis of terror, may dominate temporarily, but, its existence is never permanent, it cannot suppress humanity for a long time. This was true when some attackers were demolishing Somnath, it is equally true even today when the world is apprehensive of such ideologies.”, the Prime Minister insisted.
PM Modi stated that the reconstruction of the Somnath temple was possible due to centuries of strong will and ideological continuity. ‘Great men like Rajendra Prasad Ji, Sardar Patel, and KM Munshi faced difficulties for this campaign even after independence. Still, finally, Somnath Mandir got established as the divine pillar of modern India in 1950. The Country is moving towards amicable solutions to difficult problems. A bright pillar of the glory of modern India is coming up in the form of Ram Mandir’.
