Why in news?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he would attend the 75th anniversary celebrations of the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple on 11 May 2026. The event will honour the temple’s rebuilding after independence and celebrate its role as a symbol of resilience.
Background
The Somnath Temple stands on the western coast of India at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the twelve jyotirlinga shrines and has been a famous pilgrimage site for centuries. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout history.
Key points
- Historical records mention that Arab and Turkic raiders looted Somnath several times between the 10th and 18th centuries. Despite this, local rulers and devotees repeatedly restored the temple, viewing it as a symbol of cultural pride.
- After India gained independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel spearheaded the reconstruction of Somnath. The new temple, built in the Maru–Gurjara architectural style, was inaugurated by President Dr Rajendra Prasad in May 1951.
- The temple complex faces the Arabian Sea and is located near Veraval port. According to legend, the moon god Soma performed penance here to regain his brightness, giving the temple its name (Somnath means “lord of the moon”).
- Somnath is one of five important coastal shrines in India, along with Dwarka, Rameswaram, Puri and Chidambaram. The forthcoming anniversary celebrations will highlight its historical and spiritual significance.