Invaders couldn’t break India’s soul; Sanatan prevails in its consciousness: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday, May 11, 2026, said that attempts by foreign invaders to destroy India’s spiritual and cultural identity have failed, asserting that “Sanatan exists in the consciousness of India” and cannot be erased.

Addressing Somnath Sankalp Mahotsav held in Varanasi ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’Mr. Adityanath credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for guiding the country towards this vision: ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and for leading the revival of the great spiritual centers in India.

“Be it the major reconstruction and beautification of the Somnath temple in Saurashtra, the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Kashi, the Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain or the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, many sacred centers associated with the Sanatan tradition are moving towards a new journey of development with renewed grandeur,” Adityanath said. he said.

He said the redevelopment and restoration of major pilgrimage centers reflected the resurgence of India’s civilizational pride.

“These initiatives have been inspired by the Prime Minister and I congratulate him on behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh,” he added.

Referring to historical invasions, the Prime Minister said that many foreign rulers tried to destroy the cultural and spiritual identity of India.

“From Mohammad Ghori to the Mughals, many foreign invaders tried to destroy our spiritual and cultural identity,” he said.

Targeting Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, Mr Adityanath said the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple was destroyed during his rule and replaced with what he described as a “symbol of slavery”.

“Aurangzeb destroyed the ancient temple of Baba Vishwanath and erected a structure symbolizing slavery there, but they could not break the spirit of India,” he said.

“They couldn’t understand that sanatan it is found not only within the walls of temples but also in the consciousness of India itself. “India believes that its soul is eternal and immortal,” he added.

The Prime Minister said India’s spiritual and cultural heritage reflects the “eternal call” of the country’s enduring civilization.

“Those who want to delete sanatan They themselves turned to dust.”

“Today, no one remembers these invaders, but Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Somnath temple continue to take forward the story of India’s self-respect,” he claimed. Mr. Adityanath also claimed that even today there are forces opposing the revival of India’s spiritual and cultural symbols.

“Unfortunately, there are still many forces who do not want to see these symbols of India’s pride and self-respect march forward with dignity,” he said.

Without naming any political party or leader, he said that the same people who opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple later also obstructed the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Mr. Adityanath said independent India once had the opportunity to move forward decisively with such initiatives, but the country lacked the resolve to restore its civilizational pride.

“There was a time when independent India was able to develop such programs effectively, but there was no intention of restoring India’s self-respect and civilizational pride,” he said.

The Prime Minister explained in detail Somnath Swabhiman Parv He stated that as an innovative effort to reconnect India with its roots, this event is a clarion call for the revival of India’s cultural consciousness and spiritual tradition. “Kashi and Somnath are the two eternal pillars of India’s civilizational consciousness. On one side stands Baba Vishwanath Dham on the sacred banks of Maa Ganga in the north, and on the other side stands Lord Somnath Mahadev, the first Jyotirlinga, on the western shore.

“While Kashi maintains an uninterrupted spiritual flow sanatan Somnath on the banks of the Ganga has kept the flame of our self-respect and renaissance alive,” said Mr. Adityanath.

Describing the reconstruction of the Somnath temple as “a declaration of liberation from slavery and restoration of self-respect of the nation”, he further said: “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man, had decided to rebuild the Somnath Temple. Despite many obstacles and difficulties, Patel moved forward with determination.” He is also India’s first President, Dr. He said that Rajendra Prasad attended the re-establishment ceremony of Somnath Mahadev Temple 75 years ago, despite the opposition of the then government.

Meanwhile, guests also watched live telecast of Kumbhabhishek, flag hoisting and rituals along with the Prime Minister performing a special Mahapuja during the main event held at Somnath Temple in Gujarat.

Governor Anandiben Patel also addressed the meeting at the event.

It was published – 11 May 2026 16:29 IST