By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The Somnath Temple in Gujarat is a symbol of India’s faith, belief and civilization. Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni first attacked this temple in January 1026. He tried to destroy the religion, culture and traditions of India and destroyed the temple. The attack lasted for three days, January 8, 9 and 10. This incident has been completed 1000 years. In memory of the said heartbreaking incident, Somnath Temple is being celebrated as Somnath Swabhiman Parv this year on the call of the late Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to highlight the tolerance, restoration and continuity of these 1000 years. This festival demonstrates the indomitable courage and continuity of Indian civilization.
The late Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated this festival from the Somnath Peeth today. In this context, ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parva’ is being celebrated in all the Shaivitehas of Odisha on the call of the eminent Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, respecting the integrity of the Somnath Temple. Today, lamps are lit in all the Shiva temples of the country and the Omkar mantra is chanted. In this context, 1000 lamps were lit near Lord Shri Lingaraj in Bhubaneswar today and worshipped, said State President Shri Manmohan Samal.
State President Shri Samal said that despite many ups and downs over the past 1000 years, this temple is still standing with its glory and majesty. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel started the reconstruction of Somnath Temple when he was the Home Minister. On May 11, 1951, the reconstructed Somnath Temple was opened for the devotees in the presence of the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad. This festival of self-respect is being celebrated today to remember those who sacrificed in the 1000-year Sangharsh Yatra.
It clearly shows the commitment of the late Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to preserve and enrich the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. On this occasion, State President Shri Samal called upon everyone to pray for the integrity of Somnath Temple and take a resolution.
On this occasion, Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, MLA Shri Babu Singh, former State President Shri Sameer Mohanty, State Vice President Dr. Yatin Mohanty, Shri Ashok Mishra, State General Secretary (Organization) Shri Manas Kumar Mohanty, State Secretary Shri Saroj Kar, Shri Kalandi Charan Samal, former Minister Shri Arvind Tachali, former MLA Shri Lalitendu Vidyadhar Mohapatra, State Media Coordinator Shri Sujit Kumar Das, Bhubaneswar District President Shri Niranjan Mishra and senior leader Shri Jagannath Pradhan along with senior leaders and workers of the district were present.
