Somnath pulsed with anticipation and cultural fervour on Saturday as performing artists voiced excitement ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the sacred coastal town during the ongoing Somnath Swabhiman Parv.
The grand celebration has transformed the historic temple precinct into a living canvas of devotion, heritage, and national pride.
Artists arriving from different parts of Gujarat and beyond said the opportunity to perform at Somnath carried deep spiritual and emotional meaning.
Classical dancers and folk performers described the experience as both uplifting and humbling, noting that the ancient shrine infused their performances with a sense of divine energy.
Several artists said they felt completely immersed in the spiritual aura of Lord Shiva while rehearsing Bharatanatyam and Kutchi folk dances at the venue.
Performers also highlighted Somnath’s remarkable transformation in recent years, calling it more vibrant, organised, and welcoming.
They praised the multiple performance stages set up for the festival, which allowed diverse art forms to flourish simultaneously.
Artists described the atmosphere as overwhelmingly positive, driven by devotion, discipline, and a shared sense of cultural responsibility.
Art, Faith & National Spirit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the four-day Somnath Swabhiman Parv, which commemorates 1,000 years since the first attack on the Somnath Temple in January 1026 by Mahmud of Ghazni.
The festival, running from January 8 to 11, 2026, honours the temple’s repeated destruction and reconstruction, symbolising India’s unbroken civilisational spirit and resilience.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi described the festival as a powerful expression of India’s spiritual strength and cultural continuity.
He announced that he would arrive in Somnath on the evening of January 10 and join the sacred Omkar mantra chanting at around 8 PM.
सोमनाथ स्वाभिमान पर्व हमारी आध्यात्मिक परंपरा का एक सशक्त प्रतीक है, जिसे देशभर में पूरी श्रद्धा, भक्ति और उल्लास के साथ मनाया जा रहा है। इसी कड़ी में कल रात करीब 8 बजे सोमनाथ मंदिर में ओंकार मंत्र के दिव्य जाप का हिस्सा बनने का सौभाग्य मिलेगा। इसके अगले दिन सुबह लगभग 9:45 बजे…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2026
The visit will culminate with a large-scale drone show illuminating the skies over the Arabian Sea.
Festival highlights include 72 hours of uninterrupted Omkar chanting by thousands of young priests and saints, spiritual music evenings, and heritage-focused programmes celebrating national pride.
Prime Minister Modi’s presence underscores the Union government’s emphasis on cultural revival, spiritual tourism, and heritage-led nation-building.
Standing on Gujarat’s coastline, the Somnath Temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, continues to inspire the nation as a timeless emblem of faith, resurgence, and India’s enduring soul.
Also Read: PM Modi’s AI Roundtable Signals Maturing Startup Ecosystem Ahead Of India AI Impact Summit: Report
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
