Under the Somnath Swabhiman Yatra, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, flagged off a special pilgrimage train from Durgapura Railway Station, Jaipur, on 5 June 2026. The train, carrying nearly 1,000 senior citizens from different parts of Rajasthan, departed on a six-day spiritual journey to the sacred pilgrimage centres of Somnath, Dwarkapuri, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Gujarat.
The yatra has been organised as part of the nationwide commemoration of 1,000 years of the unwavering faith and devotion associated with Somnath. It forms a key component of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in January 2026 to mark a millennium of unbroken reverence for the sacred shrine. As part of this initiative of the Ministry of Culture, senior citizens have been provided an opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage free of cost, enabling them to visit some of India's most revered centres of faith and devotion.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed happiness that senior citizens were setting out on the pilgrimage. He said that many of the pilgrims had long wished to visit these sacred places but had not been able to do so earlier.
The Hon'ble Chief Minister further stated that the pilgrims would have the opportunity to visit and offer prayers at Somnath Jyotirlinga, Dwarkadhish Temple, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Referring to the history of Somnath, he said that although the temple faced repeated attacks over the centuries, the faith and devotion associated with it remained unshaken. He added that the temple was rebuilt in a grand form after its restoration, and that on the completion of 75 years of its reconstruction, the Hon'ble Prime Minister had called upon the nation to celebrate Somnath Swabhiman as a symbol of India's enduring faith and cultural heritage.
During the pilgrimage, the devotees will visit Somnath Jyotirlinga, Dwarkapuri and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, participate in religious and cultural activities, and offer prayers at these revered sites. The six-day journey has been carefully planned to provide a comfortable, safe and spiritually enriching experience for all participants.
