On April 19, 2026, the 'Somnath Swabhiman Yatra' was officially flagged off by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, from Gomti Nagar Railway Station in Lucknow. A special train, carrying a large group of devotees, departed for a pilgrimage to the Somnath Temple in Gujarat as part of the 'Somnath Swabhiman Parv.'
This yatra has been organised to commemorate 1000 years of the unwavering faith & devotion of Somnath. Nearly 1008 devotees, including youth and professionals from various districts such as Chandauli, Gonda, Barabanki, Baghpat, and Farrukhabad, embarked on this momentous journey, carrying sacred water from the rivers of Uttar Pradesh.
During the event, CM Yogi emphasised, “It is our good fortune that today, under the guidance and leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our country has entered a new era of modern development while preserving its glorious past. Today's age symbolises the belief expressed in Indian scriptures that the soul is immortal and represents the eternity of life; likewise, the Sanatan shrine symbolises the same eternal and immortal path.”
The contingent of devotees reached Somnath on April 21, 2026, and participated in various spiritual and cultural activities at the temple, including bhajan sandhyas, Rudrabhishek ceremonies, Maha Arti, and a Light & Sound Show, among others.
The Ministry of Culture is organising year-long programs at both the district and state levels, as well as at the 12 Jyotirlingas across the country, to mark this significant occasion. These initiatives aim to reconnect contemporary society, especially the youth, with deeper aspects of our heritage through curated cultural, spiritual, and educational engagements.
A special campaign, ‘Chalo Chalein Somnath,’ encourages participation in local Kalash Yatras, storytelling sessions, mass chanting of Omkar Jaap, and bhajan sandhyas. Participants can also write 'Om Namah Shivay' in booklets, which are available for download from the official portal of Somnath Swabhiman Parv: https://amritkaal.nic.in/somnath-swabhiman-parv
