NewzVille Desk
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi officially flagged off the historic ‘Somnath Swabhiman Yatra-2026’ in Bhubaneswar today.
The Chief Minister flagged off the special train carrying more than 1100 devotees from Odisha to the holy shrine of Lord Somnath in Patan, Gujarat, and started the pilgrimage auspiciously.
The Chief Minister said that this is not just a train journey, but a grand journey of our faith, devotion and cultural pride. Lord Jagannath in the east and Lord Somnath in the west – these two divine powers have bound the entire Indian year with the thread of unity, spirituality and indestructible consciousness.
The Chief Minister said that this pilgrimage is a glorious part of the great national concept ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ being organized across the country
He said, the pilgrimage commemorates two major milestones in Indian history. The first is the 1000th anniversary of the first barbaric attack on the Somnath temple by Muhammad Ghaznavi in 1026 and the second is the 75th Platinum Jubilee of the re-establishment of this magnificent temple after independence under the inspiration of the iron man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. As part of this year-long cultural festival, the Union Ministry of Culture has made arrangements for a large-scale mass pilgrimage across the country, in which 1,080 devotees from Lucknow in Odisha and about 1,300 from Delhi have also left for the holy Prabhas Patan in this special train.
The Chief Minister said that the mantra of the successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, ‘Vikash Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ has been proven today by developing a world-class tourist infrastructure at Somnath through a state-of-the-art magnificent exhibition hall, museum, sea view path and PRASHAD scheme.
He further said that to establish an unbreakable spiritual bridge between Odisha and Somnath, the holy water of the Vindusagar of Ekamra Kshetra and the holy soil of the Kedargauri Temple, a living symbol of ancient Shaiva tradition, are being sent to the feet of Lord Somnath through this special train. Every pilgrim participating in this yatra has been given a booklet “Om Namah Shivaya”. At the Somnath Peeth, devotees will witness a divine experience of magnificent alati, holy Rudravishek, Akhand Omkar Recitation and a modern light and sound show that brings the golden history of the temple alive.
On this occasion, the Minister of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryavansi Suraj said that we are also sending some sacred reflections of the spiritual heritage of Odisha to Somnath through the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra. The water of the holy Vindusagara in the heart of Ekamra Kshetra is going to Somnath Dham today. This holy water will reach Somnath carrying the message of devotion of Odisha.
Babu Singh, MLA of Ekamra-Bhubaneswar, Dr. Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Commissioner and Secretary, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, were also present at the ceremony.
