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News Topical, Digital Desk : The Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat has completed 1000 years since the foreign invasion. Somnath was first attacked in 1026, but despite this, the Somnath Temple still stands firm. PM Modi will visit the Somnath Temple on January 11th. He will also participate in the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. Several spiritual and social activities will be held at the Somnath Temple from January 8th to 11th. PM Modi has written an article on the completion of 1000 years of the Somnath Temple invasion. He wrote in a post on Instagram, "The year 2026 marks the completion of 1000 years since the first attack on our pilgrimage site, Somnath Jyotirlinga. Despite repeated attacks, our Somnath Temple still stands firm! Somnath is truly the saga of the self-respect and indomitable courage of millions of brave sons of Mother India, for whom their culture and civilization have always been paramount."
Mention in Dwadash Jyotirlinga Stotram
PM Modi has highlighted the significance of Somnath Jyotirlinga in his article. PM Modi wrote, "On hearing the word Somnath, a feeling of pride and faith fills our mind and heart. Situated in Gujarat on the western coast of India, at a place called Prabhas Patan, Somnath is an eternal representation of the soul of India. The Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram mentions the 12 Jyotirlingas of India. The description of the Jyotirlingas begins with this line..."Saurashtra Somnatham Cha..." meaning Somnath is mentioned first among the Jyotirlingas. This is a symbol of the civilizational and spiritual significance of this holy place."
became the target of foreign invaders
Referring to the attack on Monday, PM Modi wrote, "Unfortunately, this very Somnath, which was the centre of faith and prayers of crores of people, became the target of foreign invaders whose aim was destruction. The year 2026 holds great significance for the Somnath Temple as it marks the completion of 1000 years of the first attack on this great shrine. In January 1026, Mahmud of Ghazni launched a major attack on this temple and demolished it. This attack was a violent and barbaric attempt aimed at destroying a great symbol of faith and civilization."
The temple stands with pride
PM Modi wrote, "The Somnath attack is one of the biggest tragedies in human history. Yet, even after a thousand years, this temple stands with all its glory. After the year 1026, efforts continued from time to time to rebuild this temple with all its grandeur. The present form of the temple took shape in 1951. Coincidentally, this year 2026 is also the year of completion of 75 years of reconstruction of Somnath Temple. The reconstruction of this temple was completed on 11 May 1951. The ceremony held in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, when the doors of the temple were opened for darshan, was historic."
marks of hundreds of attacks
PM Modi wrote in his article, "These temples bear the marks of hundreds of attacks, and have been reborn hundreds of times. They were destroyed again and again, and each time they rose from their own ruins, as strong as before. As vibrant as before. This is the national psyche, this is the national lifeblood. Following it fills you with pride. To abandon it means death. To deviate from it will only lead to destruction." It is well known that after independence, the sacred responsibility of rebuilding the Somnath Temple fell into the capable hands of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He stepped forward to fulfill this responsibility. He visited Somnath during Diwali in 1947. The experience of that visit shook him to the core, and at that very moment he declared that the Somnath Temple would be rebuilt here. Finally, on May 11, 1951, the doors of the magnificent temple at Somnath were opened to devotees."
Created new history
PM Modi further wrote, "The then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was not very enthusiastic about this event. He did not want the Honourable President and Ministers to be a part of this ceremony. He said that this incident would tarnish India's image. But Rajendra Babu remained firm, and what happened next created a new history. Any mention of Somnath Temple is incomplete without remembering the contributions of K.M. Munshi ji. He effectively supported Sardar Patel at that time. His work on Somnath, especially his book 'Somnath, the Shrine Eternal', is a must read."
Somnath has been connecting people since time immemorial.
Referring to Somnath, PM Modi wrote, "Since time immemorial, Somnath has been connecting people from all walks of life. Centuries ago, the revered sage of the Jain tradition, Hemchandracharya, the omniscient sage of Kalikal, came here and after praying, it is said, he said, "Bhavabijaankurjanana ragadyaah kshayamupagata yasya." Meaning, salutations to the Supreme Being in whom the seeds of worldly bondage have been destroyed. In whom attachment and all disorders have been pacified. Even today, the darshan of Dada Somnath gives a similar feeling. A stillness comes in the mind, something touches the soul deep inside, which is supernatural, unexpressed."
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