As part of the nationwide commemorations marking 1,000 years of the unwavering faith, devotion and resilience associated with the Somnath Temple, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on June 22, 2026 flagged off the 'Somnath Swabhiman Yatra' from Raipur Railway Station.
A special train carrying more than 1,000 devotees departed for the Somnath Temple in Gujarat. The pilgrims are carrying sacred soil and holy water from the Tandula river, symbolising the spiritual and cultural unity of the nation. The four-day Yatra will conclude on June 26, 2026.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments, Government of Chhattisgarh; Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development, Technical Education, Employment and Scheduled Caste Development, Government of Chhattisgarh; Shri Dharamlal Kaushik, former Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the day held special historical significance as it marked the 75th anniversary of the consecration of the current temple in 1951. Recalling the period following India's Independence, he said that the country's first Home Minister, Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, popularly known as the "Iron Man of India", had resolved to rebuild the Somnath Temple, symbolising the nation's faith, cultural pride and civilisational resurgence.
Shri Rajesh Agrawal, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Culture, Religious Trusts and Endowments, also addressed the gathering. He said that the Yatra would offer devotees an opportunity to experience India's rich cultural traditions, civilisational heritage and national pride while deepening their spiritual connection with the sacred Somnath Temple.
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is organising year-long programmes at the district, State and National levels, including at all twelve Jyotirlingas, to commemorate this historic milestone. The initiatives seek to reconnect citizens with India's rich cultural heritage through a series of curated cultural, spiritual and educational activities.
