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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on the 75-year journey of the reconstructed Somnath Temple, calling it a symbol of India’s “unbroken and unyielding civilisational spirit” in an article published in the Economic Times today ahead of the anniversary celebrations on May 11.

In the article, Modi recalled visiting Somnath in January for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, which marked 1,000 years since the first attack on the temple. He said he would return to Somnath again on May 11 to mark 75 years, after former President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the restored temple.

“It’s a privilege to be attending, in less than six months, two milestones related to Somnath and its journey from ruin to renewal,” PM Modi wrote. Describing Somnath as a symbol of resilience, the PM said the temple gives a “civilisational message” that no matter how fierce the storms are, one can rise again with dignity and strength. Referring to the Shiv Purana, he wrote, “Prabhasam cha parikramya prithivikramsambhavam – circling Prabhasa (Somnath Temple) is equal to circling the Earth itself.”

PM Modi also recalled how Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was deeply troubled by the condition of the Somnath Temple during the freedom movement. He wrote that after Independence, on November 13, 1947, Patel stood beside the ruins of the temple and announced its reconstruction, urging people of Saurashtra to participate in the “holy task”.

“That single clarion call from Patel was responded to not only by the people of Gujarat but by the whole of India,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister noted that Patel did not live to see the temple rebuilt, but his influence continued to guide the restoration efforts at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat’s Veraval. Modi further wrote that despite objections from then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad attended the inauguration ceremony of the restored temple on May 11, 1951.

Recalling Rajendra Prasad’s speech at the inauguration, Modi wrote that the former president had said the Somnath Temple proclaimed to the world that anything rooted in “unparalleled faith and love cannot be destroyed”.

The PM also reflected on his own association with the temple after becoming Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001. He recalled attending a programme on October 31 that year, marking 50 years since the restored temple reopened, coinciding with the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Patel. Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former deputy PM LK Advani were also present at the event, he said.

Highlighting the Centre’s approach of “Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi”, PM Modi wrote that spiritual centres across the country – from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, and Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam – have been equipped with modern facilities while preserving their traditional identity.

According to PM Modi, improved connectivity to these spiritual centres has boosted local economies, generated livelihoods and strengthened the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat”.
He further paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives to protect Somnath and to the countless people from across India who contributed towards restoring the temple’s glory over the centuries.

“In a world marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more relevant than ever,” Modi wrote.

The PM said Somnath would continue to stand tall in all its glory and announced that special pujas would be held at the temple for the next 1,000 days. He also urged people to visit Somnath during this period.

“You will not only be overwhelmed by devotion, but you’ll also feel the strong pulse of an unbroken, unyielding civilisational spirit,” he wrote, ending the article with “Jai Somnath.”