Bharat is sacred, bound together by a sense of oneness: PM Modi

Every part of Bharat is sacred, bound together by a sense of unity that transcends geography, and in a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more important than ever, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, May 8, 2026.

In his signed letter celebrating 75 years of reopening of the restored Somnath Temple to devotees, Mr. Modi said the struggles and sacrifices of those who laid down their lives to preserve the temple in Gujarat and rebuilt it time and time again will never be forgotten.

He said that in a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more meaningful than ever and Somnath will continue to stand tall in all its glory as the sense of unity and consciousness of common civilization lives in the hearts of every Indian.

“Countless people from different corners of India have contributed to restoring its glory. They saw every part of Bharat as sacred, bound together by a sense of unity that transcends geography. In a world often marked by divisions, this spirit of unity is more meaningful than ever,” he said.

As a tribute to this, he said, special pujas will be held on Somnath for the next thousand days, remembering the extraordinary courage of the millennium. He said he was glad to see that many people also donated for these pujas.

“I advise my Indian friends to travel to Somnath at this special time. When you stand on the banks of Somnath, let its ancient echoes speak to you. You will not only be moved by the devotion, but you will also feel the powerful pulse of a spirit of civilization that refuses to fade, unbroken and unyielding,” he said.

Mr. Modi said devotees will experience the unconquerable spirit of Bharat and understand why Indian culture remains invincible despite all efforts and people will have the opportunity to see the vision of eternal glory that will surely be unforgettable.

The Prime Minister said that he went to Somnath for the Somnath Swabhiman Parv in early 2026, meaning a thousand years have passed since the first attack on the Somnath Temple.

He will now return to Somnath on May 11 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the inauguration of the temple, which was restored by the then President of India Rajendra Prasad, he said.

He said it was a privilege to participate in two major milestones in less than six months with Somnath and its journey from destruction to renewal or what everyone describes as from Vidhvans to Srijan.

“Somnath gives us a message about civilization. The vast sea before him evokes timelessness. The waves tell us that no matter how fierce the storms or how turbulent the tides, man can always rise again with dignity and strength.

“The waves roll back to the shore, as if to remind each generation that the spirit of the people can never be suppressed for long,” he said.

Mr. Modi said Indian ancient scriptures say that the ‘pradakshina’ of the divine Somnath is equal to the ‘pradakshina’ of the whole world. He said that while people come here to pray, they also experience the extraordinary continuity of a civilization whose flame can never be extinguished.

“Empires have risen and fallen, tides have changed, history has moved on through conquests and uprisings, but Somnath has continued to exist in our consciousness. It is time to remember the countless greats who stood firm against tyranny,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that it was Lakulisha and Soma Sarman who transformed Prabhasa into a great center of philosophy.

Chakravarti of Vallabhi said Maharaja Dharasena IV built the Second Temple there centuries ago and Bhima Deva, Jayapala and Anandapala will always be remembered for defending the dignity of civilization against invasions.

Mr. Modi said Raja Bhoja also helped in the reconstruction and Karna Deva and Siddharaja Jayasimha were said to have played a vital role in restoring the political and cultural power of Gujarat.

Bhava Brihaspati said Kumarapala Solanki and Pashupata Acharyas rebuilt and maintained the shrine as a great center of worship and learning and preserved the intellectual and spiritual traditions of Vishaladeva Vaghela and Tripurantaka.

“Mahipaladeva and Ra Khangar were instrumental in the revival of worship after the destruction. Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, whose birth centenary is being celebrated, ensured continuity of devotion in the most difficult times,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that there are Gaekwads of Baroda who protect the rights of pilgrims and the land of the country is blessed for producing brave personalities like Veer Hamirji Gohil and Veer Vegdaji Bhil, whose sacrifices and bravery have become a part of the living memory of Somnath.

He said that when the spirit of freedom swept India in the 1940s and the foundations of a new republic were laid under the leadership of prominent figures like Sardar Patel, one thing continued to trouble him deeply: Somnath’s situation.

“On November 13, 1947, during Diwali, he stood near the ruined ruins of the temple with sea water in his hand and said: ‘On this auspicious day of the (Gujarati) New Year, we have decided that Somnath must be rebuilt. You, the people of Saurashtra, must do your best. This is a sacred duty in which everyone must participate,” he said.

Mr. Modi said that after Sardar Patel’s clarion call, not only the people of Gujarat but also the people of the entire India responded with enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, he said, fate did not allow Sardar Patel to witness the realization of the dream he passionately advocated, where he left this world before the restored Somnath Temple opened its doors to devotees.

Still, his (Patel’s) impact continues to be felt on the holy shores of Prabhas Patan, he said.

“His vision was supported by Shri KM Munshi and ably supported by the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar. When the temple was completed in 1951, it was decided to call the President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, for the ceremony. Overcoming strong objections from the then Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, Dr. Prasad embellished the ceremony, thus making it even more special and historic,” he said.

Mr. Modi said his mind also went back to October 2001, when he had just assumed office as the chief minister of Gujarat, and had the honor of organizing a program to celebrate 50 years of the Gujarat government opening the gates of the Somnath Temple on October 31, 2001, Sardar Patel’s Jayanti.

He also said that it coincided with Sardar Patel’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations and the program was attended by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and then Home Minister LK Advani.

Mr. Modi said that in his speech on May 11, 1951, President Rajendra Prasad had said that the Somnath Temple had declared to the world that nothing with unique faith and love could be destroyed. Prasad expressed his hope that this temple will live on in people’s hearts.

“He (Prasad) also said that the restoration of the temple is the realization of Sardar Patel’s dream, but it is important that we carry this spirit forward, bringing prosperity back into people’s lives. These are the important and inspiring messages he gave.” he said.

“This is the path we have been walking for over a decade. I consider it fortunate that our team, inspired by the principle of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’, from Somnath to Kashi, Kamakhya to Kedarnath, Ayodhya to Ujjain, Trimbakeshwar to Srisailam, has the opportunity to equip our spiritual centers with the latest facilities while at the same time preserving their traditional character,” Modi said. he said.

He said this, together with efforts to improve connectivity, enabled more people to visit them, strengthening the local economy, securing livelihoods and deepening the spirit of ‘unity’.Ek Bharat, Shreshtha BharaT’.