A new golden chapter has been added to the cultural and spiritual history of Odisha today. 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 great 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 grand national concept ‘Somnath Swamiman Parva’ being organized across the country, which 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 and about 1,300 from Delhi have also set off for the holy shrine of Prabhas Patan, like this special train from Odisha. The Chief Minister said that the mantra of the late Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, ‘Vikash Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, has been proven today by developing world-class tourist infrastructure at Somnath through state-of-the-art magnificent exhibition halls, museums, sea view paths and PRASHAD scheme.
He further said that to establish an unbreakable spiritual bridge between Odisha and Somnath, the holy water of the Tintasagara of Ekamra Kshetra and the holy soil of the Kedargauri Temple, a living symbol of ancient Shaivite tradition, are being sent to the feet of Lord Somnath through this special train for offering. Every pilgrim participating in this yatra has been given a booklet of “Om Namah Shivaya”. At Somnath Peeth, devotees will witness a divine experience of magnificent aalati, holy Rudravishek, Akhand Omkar Japa and a modern light and sound show that brings the golden history of the temple alive along with the temple darshan.
On this occasion, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Shri Suryavansi Suraj said that we are also sending some sacred symbols of Odisha’s spiritual heritage to Somnath in the Somnath Swabiman Yatra. The water from the holy Tintasagara in the heart of Ekamra Kshetra is going to Somnath Dham today. This holy water will reach Somnath with the message of devotion of Odisha. Shri Babu Singh, MLA of Ekamra-Bhubaneswar, was present at this launching ceremony. Commissioner of Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department and Administrative Secretary Dr. Vijay Ketan Upadhyay gave the welcome speech.
