PM Modi Performs Rituals At Somnath Temple, Witnesses Suryakiran Air Show

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the sacred Somnath Temple and performed ‘Maha Pooja’ and other traditional rituals as part of the Somnath Amrut Mahotsav. The event commemorates 75 years since the temple’s post-independence restoration and inauguration in 1951. The Prime Minister’s visit included participation in multiple ceremonial activities and interactions with temple authorities. Large numbers of devotees and officials gathered to witness the programme, which was held under tight security arrangements.

Before entering the temple, Modi held a roadshow in Somnath town where people lined the streets to welcome him. Inside the temple complex, he performed ‘Jalabhishek’, offering sacred water to the Shivling while priests chanted Vedic hymns. The rituals were conducted with traditional protocols and accompanied by devotional recitations. The atmosphere inside the shrine remained solemn and devotional throughout the ceremonies.

A key highlight of the event was the ‘Kumbhabhishek’ ritual performed at the temple, during which holy water collected from several pilgrimage sites across India was brought together. This water was then sprinkled on the temple’s ‘shikhar’ (spire) using a crane as part of the consecration process. The ritual symbolised spiritual unity across India’s sacred geography and was performed in the presence of religious scholars and dignitaries. Devotees observed the ceremony as part of the larger commemorative celebrations.

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The programme also featured a special air show by the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team over the temple premises. The fighter jets performed coordinated aerial manoeuvres, leaving behind trails in saffron, white, and green smoke that mirrored the Indian national flag. The display drew attention from visitors gathered around the temple area and added a ceremonial and patriotic dimension to the religious event. The performance was carefully timed with the ongoing rituals below.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi accompanied the Prime Minister during the temple visit and associated events. The Somnath Amrut Mahotsav marks 75 years since India’s first President Rajendra Prasad inaugurated the restored shrine in 1951 after its reconstruction in the post-independence period. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, holds deep historical and cultural importance as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a public gathering at Sadbhavana Ground in Somnath. The visit forms part of a broader cultural and spiritual programme aimed at highlighting India’s heritage and temple traditions. Officials described the event as a significant milestone in the continued preservation and celebration of Somnath’s legacy. The celebrations are expected to continue with various religious and cultural activities throughout the day.

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