admin 
New Delhi [India], January 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reflected on the historic journey of the Somnath Temple, saying its legacy is defined not by destruction but by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata.
In an OpEd and blog post, PM Modi said that merely hearing the name “Somnath” fills hearts with pride. He highlighted that the first attack on the revered temple took place exactly 1,000 years ago in 1026 AD, yet the shrine continues to stand in glory.
“The story of Somnath, a thousand years after the first attack, is not defined by destruction. It is defined by the unbreakable courage of crores of children of Bharat Mata,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Symbol of India’s Civilisational Strength
PM Modi said there can be no better example of India’s indomitable civilisational spirit than Somnath. He noted that despite repeated attacks across centuries, the temple has always risen again.
Referring to the book Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal by K. M. Munshi, the Prime Minister recalled that Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Somnath on January 6, 1026, after an 80-day march.
According to historical accounts, nearly 50,000 defenders lost their lives protecting the shrine. The temple was looted, and the sacred linga was desecrated.
Rebuilding of Somnath Temple After Independence
The Prime Minister highlighted the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in rebuilding the Somnath Temple after Independence. He said the reconstruction began on November 13, 1947, with strong support from K. M. Munshi.
PM Modi recalled that when the temple was ready for inauguration in 1951, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the participation of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. However, Dr. Prasad attended the inauguration on May 11, 1951.
“Dr. Rajendra Prasad stood firm, and the rest is history,” PM Modi wrote.
Repeated Attacks, Enduring Faith
The Somnath Temple was attacked and rebuilt multiple times between the 13th and 18th centuries. It faced invasions by Alauddin Khilji’s general, Muzaffar Khan, Mahmud Begda, and later Aurangzeb.
Despite destruction and conversion into a mosque in the early 18th century, Queen Ahilyabai Holkar built a new temple nearby in 1783, preserving its sacred continuity.
PM Modi also recalled Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Somnath in the 1890s. He described temples like Somnath as living sources of wisdom that explain India’s history better than books.
Message for Modern India
The Prime Minister said the aggressors of the past are now forgotten, while Somnath continues to shine as a symbol of hope, faith, and resilience.
He added that just as Somnath rose repeatedly after destruction, India too can restore its ancient glory.
“With the blessings of Shree Somnath Mahadev, we move forward with a renewed resolve to build a Viksit Bharat, guided by our civilisational wisdom,” PM Modi wrote.
About The Author
