Somnath Temple Is a Symbol of India’s Eternal Faith and National Self-Respect, Says Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini
Chief Minister addresses ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parva’ in Kurukshetra, announces special pilgrimage train from Haryana to Somnath on June 8 under Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday declared that the Somnath Temple is not merely a place of worship but a timeless symbol of India’s Sanatan consciousness, unwavering faith and national self-respect — one that has inspired the nation to rise stronger after every invasion and adversity.
The Chief Minister was speaking as Chief Guest at the state-level “Somnath Swabhiman Parva”, organised at the sacred Shree Sangmeshwar Mahadev Temple Arunai in Pehowa, Kurukshetra. During the event, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries also watched the live telecast from Somnath Temple, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered special prayers and addressed the gathering.
Beginning his address with chants of Har Har Mahadev, the Chief Minister said that celebrating the Parva at the holy confluence of the Vedic rivers Arunai and Saraswati further enhanced the spiritual significance of the occasion.
A Thousand Years of Endurance
Saini noted that the year-long national celebration marks two historic milestones simultaneously — 75 years of the reconstruction of Somnath Temple and 1,000 years since the first invasion on the temple in 1026 AD — making the Swabhiman Parva a profound symbol of civilisational continuity and unbroken faith.
He recalled that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had viewed the post-Independence rebuilding of the temple as a restoration of national honour and cultural pride, and that India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, had inaugurated the reconstructed temple in May 1951.
“Foreign invaders attempted not only to destroy a temple, but also India’s faith, culture and identity. However, they failed to understand that Sanatan does not exist merely in temples — it lives in the hearts of the people of India,” Saini said.
The Chief Minister informed that the yearlong celebrations commenced on January 11 this year and will continue until January 11, 2027, with devotees from across the country visiting Somnath throughout the commemorative period.
Special Pilgrimage Train on June 8
In a key announcement, the Chief Minister said a special pilgrimage train from Haryana to Somnath will depart on June 8 under the state government’s Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, which is designed to facilitate economically weaker senior citizens in undertaking religious pilgrimages.
Heritage and Development Together
Saini lauded Prime Minister Modi’s efforts to restore India’s major pilgrimage centres, citing the construction of the Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Mahakal Lok and Kedarnath Dham, as well as initiatives such as the Char Dham Project and the PRASAD Scheme. He said New India under PM Modi is progressing with both development and heritage together.
He also highlighted Haryana’s own efforts, informing that 367 pilgrimage sites have been identified within the sacred 48-kos land of Kurukshetra, with 182 now fully documented. He added that the recently inaugurated Jyotisar Anubhav Kendra, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 200 crore, uses modern technology to present the philosophy and history of the Mahabharata in an immersive manner.
A Call to the Youth
The Chief Minister urged the younger generation to reconnect with India’s spiritual and cultural roots, saying, “India is not merely a geographical entity — India is a civilisation, a culture and a spiritual consciousness.” He called upon saints, religious organisations and youth to carry the message of the Swabhiman Parva to every household through cultural programmes, Shiv Mahapuran recitations and Bhagavad Gita path at the village level.
Swami Gyananand Ji Maharaj, who also addressed the gathering, said those who once tried to destroy Somnath have been confined to the pages of history, while the flag of Somnath continues to convey the message of India’s strength and resilience.
The Chief Minister was felicitated by the temple committee and members of the Sant Samaj on the occasion.
