Somnath Swabhiman Parva Celebrated to Mark 1,000 Years Since the First Invasion of Somnath

(Utkarsh Patel)

The Somnath Temple, situated on the holy land of Gujarat, is not just a religious place but is an immortal centre of faith of our eternal culture. The story of this temple is one of heroism, sacrifice and steadfast faith that has been living in our hearts with a sense of pride for centuries. Today, when we are celebrating 'Somnath Swabhiman Parva' on the occasion of the completion of one thousand years of the first attack on Somnath, this feeling of pride becomes even deeper. This festival, which will last from January 9 to January 11, reminds us how proud our heritage is.

The historical story of Somnath begins in 1026 when Mahmud Ghaznavi invaded it. At that time, the temple had immense wealth and was a centre of faith but the invaders tried to destroy it. However, Indian faith never wavered. Over the centuries, there were many invasions, rulers like Alauddin Khilji, Muzaffar Shah and Aurangzeb tried to destroy it, but every time the Indian Sanatanis rebuilt it and protected their culture. This temple was broken five times and built six times, which is a testament to the willpower of our ancestors.

Today, in independent India, the reconstruction of the Somnath Temple was completed in 1951, in which the contributions of great personalities like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and K.M. Munshi have been written in the Amargatha of Somnath. This temple still stands firm today where lakhs of devotees come and seek the blessings of Mahadev. Its architecture, which has the grandeur of the Chalukya style, makes us recognize ancient Indian art. This temple located on the shores of the sea is a unique blend of nature and spirituality that maintains devotion, peace and pride in our hearts.

'Somnath Swabhiman Parv' is being organized under the guidance of the country's PM Narendra Modi ji. This festival is not just a celebration but a resolve to pass on our heritage to the next generations. In this, history will be told through cultural programs, lectures and exhibitions. It reminds us that the invaders have faded into the dust of time but Somnath is still steadfast today. This festival is a symbol of our national unity in which we as Gujaratis feel special pride.

Today, when the world is attracted towards our culture, centers of eternal religion like Somnath give us a unique identity. Let us all join this festival, be proud of our heritage and unite and contribute to the upliftment of the nation by showing awareness towards the nation and religion and inspire the younger generation.

(The writer is a prominent businessman, social worker and founder of khabarchhe.com)